Evaluation of aspergillus niger phytase and phosphate with weaned piglets

Abstract

A high phytic acid diet (barley, wheat, soya bean meal, 4 g P/kg diet, of that 2/3 phytate P) without added phytase, with phytase supplement (1000 U/kg diet) or with supplementary phosphate (2.2 g P/kg diet) was examined with 3 x 12 weaned piglets. The three diets contained 8 g Ca/kg. At the end of experiment 6 pigs/group were slaughtered. In animal body (as empty body) the content and gain of ash, P, Ca, protein and fat were detected. P supplementation and supplementary phytase had no effect on dry matter, protein and fat content of animal body. The enzyme but more the supplementary phosphate increased mineralization of skeleton and made the animal body higher in ash, P and Ca content. Piglets without supplementary phytase and P gained 1.1 g P daily. Phytase increased daily P gain by 0.5 g (P < 0.05), the phosphate by 1.4 g (P < 0.001). The daily Ca gain was 1.7; 2.8 and 5.1 g in the different groups. A piglet (body weight 20 kg) with sufficient P and Ca in the diet gains 5 g P and 10 g Ca per kg body weight gain (empty body).