February 15, 2008

 

Phytase gains more significance as phosphate shortage looms

 

 

The scarcity of feed phosphate, triggered by the accelerated demand for biofuel crops which consume generous amounts of fertilizer, can be overcome by microbial phytases, the EU feed association said.

 

Rising fertilizer demand, triggered by the use of crops for biofuel is leading to the current shortage of feed phosphates.

 

Prices for phosphate went up US$75 per tonne within a 10-day period in January, due to a jump in sulphur prices, which is used to make phosphates.  

 

The European Feed Additives and Premixtures Association (FEFANA) recently reported that phytases in diets for monogastric animals can significantly ease the shortage in feed phosphates.

 

Microbial phytases have been used for 20 years now in animal nutrition to provide plant-bound phytate phosphorous.

 

Presently, most of feeds standard phytase dose rates are used to replace up to 4.4 kg MCP or 6.4 kg DCP.

 

FEFANA explained that based on various trials, increasing phytase above the standard levels, which is already authorized under EU law, can replace higher amounts of inorganic phosphates.

 

This study presents an attractive solution in supplying more digestible phosphorous to livestock while mineral phosphates are running short against the global demand for it.

 

The other advantage of the use of phytase is that it poses no additional risk to the environment and the food chain. The significant reduction in phosphorus and trace element excretion by the animals would be relevant, the association pointed.

 

Current shortage in feed phosphates have been traced to various factors including the rapid demand for biofuel crops, which led to a hike in the planting of cereal crops which consume huge portions of fertilizer.

 

Another significant factor is the improved standard of living in China and India. More people in the two countries can now afford to use commercial washing powders, which also use phosphates. This further eats up the product that is already scarce.

 

Meanwhile, rock phosphate reserves in Morocco and Tunisia are reported to be running low. Scientists warned that this could happen in less than a hundred years.