Phytase for feed industry

Phytic acid (myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexakis dihydrogen phosphate) is the storage form of phosphorus in plants representing 50-85% of total phosphorus. Plant-based diets rich in phytate fed to monogastric animals are poorly utilized by them. This results in the excretion of considerable amount of phosphates and pollute fresh water and ground water leading to eutrophication with severe biological consequences such as cyanobacterial bloom, hypoxia, death of fish, production of nitrous oxide, a potent green house gas, etc. Phytate also reduces the digestibility of proteins, starch and lipids; inhibits enzymes such as a-amylase, trypsin, tyrosinase, etc. This is due to the chelating property of the substrate with the multivalent cations such as Zn2+, Fe2+, Ca2+, Mg2. Thus the presence of phytic acid in animal feeds is generally undesirable. Improved utilization of phosphorus present in phytate by animals can be met by supplementing phytase to the animal feed.

Phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) is an acid phosphohydrolase which hydrolyzes phosphomonoester bonds from phytate, thereby liberating inorganic phosphates. This improves digestibility and nutritive value of feeds as well as reduces the phosphorus output from animal waste, thus controlling the environmental pollution. Phytases are classified as the family of histidine acid phosphatases and are found primarily in plants and microorganisms.

RRL-Trivandrum developed a fungal strain of GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status for the production of phytase and its enzyme characteristics proved that it could be useful for feed supplementation.

Description of bioprocess and scale: The bioprocess involves solid-state fermentation using agro-industrial residue as substrate. No additional step or time would be required as the enzyme would be mixed during pellet formation.

Microorganism: The above process is carried out using fungal strains of Rhizopus and Aspergillus sp for the production of phytase.

Raw material: Agro-industrial wastes

Activity of enzyme: About 65-90 U per gram substrate (IU/gds), depending upon raw material.

Enzyme properties: The enzyme is optimally active at 50oC and is optimally active in at pH 5.0.

Advantages the process offers: Following are major advantages the process developed by us utilizing solid-state fermentation offers:

• Alternative technology
• Cheaper raw material
• Eco-friendly
• Advantage on effluent generation
• Higher productivities
• Cheaper cost of production
• Ease on extraction of enzyme
• Option to use the whole fermented matter without extracting enzyme, thus further cost saving
• Better quality feed
• Benefits for mono gastric animals such as poultry and pigs

Scale: The process has been carried out at laboratory scale (1 kg substrate).

The technology has been filed for Indian patent and is ready for transfer. For further queries please contact:

Prof. Ashok Pandey
Regional Research Laboratory
Industrial Estate
P.O. Poppanamcode
Thiruvananthapuram – 695019
Phone Number: + 91-3222-283104/283105(R)
Mob: 09447072265
Email: ashokpandey56@yahoo.co.in