The Effect of the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Phytate on the Available Energy Content of Feed Ingredients for Chicks and Rats ,

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the enzymatic hydrolysis of phytate in feed ingredients on the metabolizable energy (M.E.) content for chicks and rats and on the digestible energy (D.E.) for rats. The energy assay procedure for both species was the chromic oxide balance method utilizing glucose as the reference ingredient. Chicks and rats responded in a similar manner to the ingredients treated with phytase although rats utilized a greater percentage of the energy from all ingredients than did chicks. The M.E. in phytase treated wheat bran and cottonseed meal for chicks was each greater (P < 0.05) than for the untreated samples. The M.E. of phytase treated soybean meal was less (P < 0.05) than the untreated sample. The D.E. and M.E. in wheat bran and cottonseed meal for rats were higher (P < 0.05) for the phytase treated samples. The D.E. and M.E. of phytase treated soybean meal were less (P < 0.05) than for the intact sample.