Thermo Protection Technology Useful for Animal Nutrition

24/01/07 Cutting-edge “Thermo Protection Technology” which protects phytase from the adverse effects of high temperatures during feed conditioning and pelleting represents an exciting step forward for the feed industry, scientists from Danisco Animal Nutrition told delegates to the 2007 International Poultry Scientific Forum in Atlanta, Georgia.

Presenting a poster entitled ‘The effect of a new coating on the thermotolerance of a phytase product’, Dr Soren Dalsgaard, a senior scientist with Danisco, explained that trials with the new technology being developed by Danisco Animal Nutrition have clearly demonstrated its ability to provide unrivalled protection from high processing temperatures, ensuring that both the enzyme’s efficacy and its beneficial effects on animal performance are maintained.

Independent trials conducted by the Technological Institute at Kolding in Denmark to investigate the effect of the technology on the thermostability of Danisco’s new-generation phytase Phyzyme XP showed that it produced consistently good results. Thermo Protection Technology involves applying a coating to the phytase. The coated phytase was included in the feed prior to conditioning and pelleting at temperatures of 90°C (194°F) or 95ºC (203ºF). Analysis showed that, relative to unprocessed mash feed, 99% of the phytase activity remained after conditioning and pelleting at 90°C (194°F), whilst at 95°C (203ºF) 96% of the phytase activity remained. This compares with 75% activity at 90°C (194°F) and 66% activity at 95ºC (203ºF) for another commercially-available phytase product that is claimed to have similar thermostable properties.

In a paper entitled ‘The effect of a new coating on thermotolerance and bioefficacy of a phytase product in broilers fed corn-soybean meal-based diets’, Dr Janet Remus, Technical Services Manager for Danisco Animal Nutrition, outlined the results of trials conducted by ADAS in the UK to determine whether coating the new-generation phytase to confer thermostability up to 95ºC (203ºF) had any detrimental effects on the efficacy of the phytase in the animal.

Broilers were fed diets containing either the uncoated or coated new-generation phytase. Liveweight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and tibia ash were then measured. No significant differences were found between broilers fed either the uncoated or the coated phytase, confirming that the coating allows phytase to be released effectively in the bird’s gut.