REZANA PENGU, MARSEL KEÇI, ETLEVA DELIA
Faculty of Agriculture, F. S. Noli University Korce, Albania
Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
*Corresponding author; E-mail: rezanap@yahoo.com
Abstract
The major part of phosphorus (P) in cereals and seeds is stored as phytate (myo-inositol hekxakisphosphate), that is hard to digest for pigs. Phytate P in plants is a mixed calcium-magnesium-potassium salt of phytic acid that is present as chelate and solubility is very low. Phosphorus in this form is poorly digestible/available for simple-stomached animals. However, the enzyme phytase catalyses the hydrolysis of phytate rendering phosphate available for absorption. The reported effects of phytase addition on the improvement of P digestibility show great variation.
The aim of this study was to test the effects of the microbial phytase (NATUPHOS) on the performance parameters of gilt and weaned piglets.
The microbial phytase preparation (Aspergillus niger, NATUPHOS) was supplemented to a basal ration 750 FTU/kg feed and the effects on growth performance of gilt and weaned piglets were studied weekly.
The supplementation of microbial phytase improved slightly daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Overall a positive effect of the microbial phytase on performance parameters was observed. The P-excretion in the faeces was reduced also.
Keywords: Microbial phytase, Gilt piglets, Weaned piglets, Performance parameters.
