New-generation phytase products have an increasingly vital role to play in helping poultry producers stay ahead of tightening economic pressures and environmental standards by reducing feed costs and minimising phosphorus waste. However, to maximise the potential benefits, nutritionists must fully appreciate and account for the greater efficacy over traditional phytases when formulating poultry diets.

Enzymes such as phytase are susceptible to harsh conditions during the pelleting process as well as storage, inevitably resulting in losses in enzyme activity and significantly influencing its ability to satisfy the animal's phosphorus requirement. Some important aspects to keep in mind while using phytase in animal feed are presented here.

Phosphorus is a basic ingredient for life. But when excess phosphorus loads are allowed to drain from the land, they can tilt the fragile balance of life in rivers and oceans, causing numbers of some marine species to rocket and others to crash. So the best approach would be to only feed what you need. Erin Peabody explains how phytase can help and how US researchers have further developed this enzyme.

Much has been written about the value of exogenous enzymes in animal nutrition. But when it comes to making a choice of which enzyme to use, the final decision may come down to something as simple as ease of application within the feed mill. Here, processing conditions and economics of scale drive the buying decision and, inevitably the development of better products.

On Grandfather's farm adopting new technologies was done on a trial and error basis. Results were sometimes shared around the table at the local coffee shop, but most farmers preferred to try new ideas for themselves before passing judgment.

In the battle of the phytases, much of the discussion has tended to revolve around improving efficacy, so-called "side activities" and discovering the best enzyme for feed applications. Over the next few months Zymetrics Inc. aims to change the way we think about phytase and, for that matter, all feed enzymes. On the eve of their first product launch, Feed Tech caught up with them, to find out what all the fuss is about.

In the battle of the phytases, much of the discussion has tended to revolve around improving efficacy, so-called "side activities" and discovering the best enzyme for feed applications. Over the next few months Zymetrics Inc. aim to change the way we think about phytase and, for that matter, all feed enzymes. On the eve of their first product launch, Feed Mix caught up with them, to find out what all the fuss is about.

Why are enzymes so widely used in the feed industry? What progress can be made in the application of these enzymes? What new developments can be expected in this field? The right balance between our current state of knowledge about enzymes modes of action and our ability to translate this into effective products for animal nutrition will secure their future.

Aquaculture requires the same high nutritional standards as does the production of other species - and in environmental terms even more so. New research demonstrates the benefits of phytase in achieving premium quality plant-based aquafeeds with minimal environmental impact.