Classical “Natuphos” – guarantee of success

Dr. Robert Ruehle Technical Manager Fine Chemicals Europe – Animal nutrition BASF

At last the time has come when there is no need to prove reasonability of the use of phytase –enzyme used to split phytate compounds in livestock and poultry feeding. However there appeared new delusions concerning enhanced efficiency of so called E. coli phytase, therefore there is a need in reasonable and grounded explanatory work on this issue. The leading feed manufacturers favour classical 3-phytase Natuphos produced by BASF. There are strong reasons for this: on the basis of numerous investigations and experiments BASF was the first to work out an analysis data matrix of nutrient release specially for 3-phytase “Natuphos”, thereby the consumers have an efficient instrument for optimization of combined feed formulation. Proved stability and efficiency of Natuphos let its consumers be sure of their feed quality. According to different scientific research activities, phytases of the so called new generation don’t possess all the properties announced by their manufacturers. Time has shown that the results of use of new phytases of the so called new generation don’t fully correspond to the properties announced by their manufacturers.

Enzyme use in combined feed production for monogastric livestock and poultry is a long-time standard in combined feed industry. In this case the primary importance is given to fungic microbiological 3-phytase “Natuphos” developed by BASF concern. Since the time of introduction into the market in 1991 the demand for this feed enzyme has been constantly growing, because the standard dosage of 500 FTU per kilogram of the full ration feed for pigs and poultry (300 FTU/kg for laying hens) can significantly decrease the use of expensive inorganic fluorine-containing material in combined feed and save on amino acid use.

Not in the last of all due to its pioneer status “Natuphos” was and remains a subject of numerous scientific researches all over the world. At the same time it has been proved that the effect of “Natuphos” product is not confined only to phosphorus release from phytate complexes of combined feeds. Due to its effect such nutrients as amino acids, carbohydrates, calcium, zinc, cuprum and iron are released from anti-nutritional compounds of phytic acids, which increases accessibility of these substances in livestock. Result: expenses for combined feed enrichment with nutrients by equal livestock performance can be reduced. Depending on the combined feed type, the consumers of “Natuphos” product save approximately from 1.5 to 5% of raw material expenses.

For the purpose of providing the combined feed manufacturers with an efficient instrument for ration optimization aimed at cost saving, livestock feed experts of BASF concern obtained standardized matrix values on the basis of the extensive data bank of scientific researches and experiments for standard dosage of “Natuphos” of 500 or 300 FTU/kilogram of the full ration feed. These table values give a quantitative assessment of nutrients necessary for an animal, which are released additionally in the combined feed due to the phytase activity of one kilogram of “Natuphos” product 5000 for pigs.

Table 1. Standardized matrix data for pig feeding ration concerning nutrient release by different Natuphos 5000 dosage in terms of 10 t of the ready-made feed.

Some time ago BASF specialists studied in detail the results of scientific researches of the effect of increased dosage of “Natuphos” product, in comparison with the used standard dosage of 500 or 300 FTU/kg of the full ration feed for pigs and poultry. The only researches for pigs involved statistical analysis of more than 60 scientific issues and reports of BASF experiments, containing the total number of almost 400 studies of phosphorus accessibility, on the grounds whereof then there were obtained corresponding table values.

Result: as it had already been known before, at the standard dosage of “Natuphos” product of 500 FTU/kg of feed for pigs, there is released 0,8 grams of the accessible phosphorus per kilogram. This dosage compensates 4.4 kg of calcium monophosphate or 6.4 kg of calcium diphosphate per tone of the combined feed. The dosage from 500 FTU/kg to 1000 FTU/kg leads to additional release of accessible phosphorus and other nutrients, bound by phytate complexes. According to the recent analysis of publications, the dosage of about 1000 FTU/kg leads to additional release of 0.4 g – 1.2 g of accessible phosphorus per kilogram of the feed for pigs. Thus, the consumers get an opportunity to save up to 6.6 kg of calcium monophosphate or 9.6 kg of calcium diphosphate per tone of the combined feed, thus optimizing expenses with equal livestock performance.

Reliability of table values, developed by BASF, is based on fundamental scientific proof. Lately the market has been filling with phytases, which are very often advertised as more up-to-date or as products of new generation in relation to «Natuphos» product. Manufacturers of this new 6-phytase promote its higher efficiency in phosphorus release in comparison with the well-known 3-phytase. According to numerous scientific studies these data weren’t confirmed. Thus, in 2006 Brana et al. studied in detail the efficiency of Natuphos and phytase, generated by E.coli, in the dose of 500 FTU/kg with the help of the experiment on feeding pigs of different weight classes.

Table 2. Efficiency of two phytases of different origin (Aspergillus-, E.coli-phytase) in diets for piglets of different weight classes.

Researchers couldn’t determine significant differences between Natuphos and 6-phytase in daily indices, such as feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion and bone mineralization. As it was shown by the results of the feeding experiment by Wu et al. (2006) and Radcliffe et al. (2007), efficiency increase when using the phytase, generated by E.coli, also wasn’t confirmed in laying hens and broilers.

Table 3. Influence of phytase sources on laying hens’ productivity. Ration with low phosphorus levels.

Table 4. Efficiency of phytase sources in broilers.

But very often the manufacturers of these new phytase products, based in Europe and Asia, do not dispose of scientifically substantiated, ultimate product-oriented, proved matrix values.

Increased data matrix values on nutrient release should be scientifically grounded, but manufacturers of the phytase, generated by E.coli, do not dispose of their own scientifically grounded matrix values, bound to manufactured production. Transfer of matrix data on nutrient release of “Natuphos” product to other phytase products is not acceptable, since the scientific studies, underlying determination of these values, were carried out solely for “Natuphos” product.

For their so called 6-phytases or E.coli-phytases competitors use table values exceeding the values for “Natuphos” by up to 25%. However, there is no necessary transparent and voluminous scientific base to confirm these values. If the potential consumers are given any data, very often these data are based on a small number of studies. Besides, there are partly used the results of experiments, which involved feeds with phosphorus-containing ration meeting the needs of organism. However, to obtain reliable data on phytase product efficiency, in studies it is necessary to use phosphorus-lacking rations.

The fact that increased table values often do not sustain thorough scientific check, is shown even by the results of practical experiment on accessibility with fattening pigs, which has been accomplished in the Institute of Livestock Health and Nutrition of Aarhus University (Denmark). At the same time the effect of the use of «Natuphos G» (Natuphos G) and two formulation of the competitive product in dosages ranging from 250 to 750 FTU/kg was compared. As a result, there wasn’t established any considerable difference in phosphorus accessibility when using “Natuphos” product and the so called E.coli-phytase.

In conclusion it should be noted, that using feed enzyme Natuphos, BASF by manufacturers of the combined feed for monogastric livestock and poultry is an effective instrument for optimization of formulations. But promises of manufacturers regarding increased efficiency of phytases of the so called new generation, which are wide-spread in the market, are not often fulfilled. The fact is: higher efficiency in phosphorus release by 6-phytase, which is promoted by the manufacturers in comparison with 3-phytase, is confirmed neither by scientific publications, accessible all over the world, nor by practical studies.