In the ever industrializing world today, the search for a greener way of living has become one of the top priorities of institutes and enterprises, including that of farming. With the ever increasing threat of high levels of phosphorous, research has been directed towards one of the biggest culprits: animal production.
Inositol hexakisphosphate, or phytate, is a compound found in animal feed containing large amounts of phosphorous. In many production animal species the ability to digest the substance is relatively poor. To ensure animals do get the necessary amount of phosphorous from feed, farmers add extra inorganic phosphorous. Any excess which has not been utilized by the animal, as well as the indigestible phytate, is excreted into the environment as manure. This is then washed into water ways and the ocean and, consequently, disrupts nutrient balance and so, disrupts the ecosystem as a whole eg. in the form of algal blooms.
Many animals do exhibit a phytase, an enzyme that digests phytate. However, in most animals, it is a very weak enzyme and fails to adequately digest phytate.
It has recently been found that phytase found in chickens shows a greater enzyme activity than in most animals. Genetically enhancing production chickens, phytase can be modified to be secreted into the digestive tract to allow for adequate digestion of phytate. Not only does it enhance the growing ability of animals, but it also lessens feeding costs and ultimately decreases the amount of phosphorous being added to the delicate environment and, ultimately, adding to the ‘phosphorous crises’.
Inositol hexakisphosphate, or phytate, is a compound found in animal feed containing large amounts of phosphorous. In many production animal species the ability to digest the substance is relatively poor. To ensure animals do get the necessary amount of phosphorous from feed, farmers add extra inorganic phosphorous. Any excess which has not been utilized by the animal, as well as the indigestible phytate, is excreted into the environment as manure. This is then washed into water ways and the ocean and, consequently, disrupts nutrient balance and so, disrupts the ecosystem as a whole eg. in the form of algal blooms.
Many animals do exhibit a phytase, an enzyme that digests phytate. However, in most animals, it is a very weak enzyme and fails to adequately digest phytate.
It has recently been found that phytase found in chickens shows a greater enzyme activity than in most animals. Genetically enhancing production chickens, phytase can be modified to be secreted into the digestive tract to allow for adequate digestion of phytate. Not only does it enhance the growing ability of animals, but it also lessens feeding costs and ultimately decreases the amount of phosphorous being added to the delicate environment and, ultimately, adding to the ‘phosphorous crises’.
Written by: Megan Bartlett
Student number: s4119968
Primary References
http://apps.isiknowledge.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/Refine.do
http://striweb.si.edu/inositol_conference/program/PDFs/monday_afternoon/Shears.pdf
http://striweb.si.edu/inositol_conference/program/PDFs/monday_afternoon/Shears.pdf
Secondary References
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Phytase Feed Enzyme For Poultry
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