There are four main strategies in tackling
the problem of phytate in cereal grains. To date, only phytase addition to feed
has attained serious commercial success. Two have focused on the development of
phytase-containing or low-phytate seeds. One novel approach taken in Canada has
focused on the pigs themselves. Could a multifactorial approach further improve
the cost-efficiency of dietary phytase use?
A lack of standardised methods for
measuring activity in enzyme products and finished feeds is making feed enzyme
use more complex than it needs to be. Adopting a "single currency" of
enzyme activity will make understanding and using feed enzymes much simpler.
Developments in enzyme technology will continue to
strengthen the advancement of enzymes within the feed industry, including
processing stability and application. Within the current market, enzymes can be
a useful alternative to traditional phosphorus sources, and they are becoming
more thermostable, providing a more reliable way to release the nutrients in
feed.
The term
“nutraceutical” does not have any official standing, which opens up a number of
questions on the dilemma facing all involved in the industry. Is there a legal
definition of a
nutraceutical? How do nutraceuticals differ from either a nutrient or a drug?
What rules govern their safety and efficacy?
Giving too much phosphorus to wheat and barley plants
has been shown to raise the amount stored as phytate, rather than as more
digestible forms of phosphorus.
Non-starch polysaccharides or NSP-enzymes can be very effective. Pierre
Dalibard of Adisseo explains what characterises them and details the mechanism
of action.
The European Commission has granted Danisco Animal Nutrition an extension to
the approval given to its phytase feed enzyme, Phyzyme XP under EU Regulation
1831/2003.
Chinese scientists have developed a genetically
modified (GM) corn that could help improve the nutritional value of livestock
feed and reduce pollution.
At the EU Standing Committee meeting on 22nd October 2007, the European
Commission granted DSM Nutritional Products an extension to the approval given
to its phytase feed enzyme, RONOZYME® P, for ducks.
To enable pig and poultry producers to continually
improve production efficiency, Danish company Danisco developed a new generation
phytase by using Thermo Protective Technology (TPT). Dr Ceinwen Gilbert explains
the benefits.