Diets fed to nonruminant animals are composed mainly of feed ingredients of plant origin. A variety of antinutritional factors such as phytin, nonstarch polysaccharides, and protease inhibitors may be present in these feed ingredients, which could limit nutrients that may be utilized by animals fed such diets. The primary nutrient utilization-limiting effect of phytin arises from the binding of 6 phosphate groups, thus making the P unavailable to the animal. The negative charges allow for formation of insoluble phytin-metal complexes with many divalent cations. Furthermore, phytin and protein can form binary complexes through electrostatic links of its charged phosphate groups with either the free amino group on AA on proteins or via formation of ternary complexes of phytin, Ca(2+), and protein. The form and extent of de novo formation of binary and ternary complexes of phytin and protein are likely to be important variables that influence the effectiveness of nutrient hydrolysis in plant-based diets. Nonstarch polysacharides reduce effective energy and nutrient utilization by nonruminant animals because of a lack of the enzymes needed for breaking down the complex cell wall structure that encapsulate other nutrients. Enzymes are used in nonruminant animal production to promote growth and efficiency of nutrient utilization and reduce nutrient excretion. The enzymes used include those that target phytin and nonstarch polysaccharides. Phytase improves growth and enhances P utilization, but positive effects on other nutrients are not always observed. Nonstarch polysaccharide-hydrolyzing enzymes are less consistent in their effects on growth and nutrient utilization, although they show promise and it is imperative to closely match both types and amounts of nonstarch polysaccharides with appropriate enzyme for beneficial effects. When used together with phytase, nonstarch polysaccharide-hydrolyzing enzymes may increase the accessibility of phytase to phytin encapsulated in cell walls. The future of enzymes in nonruminant animal production is promising and will likely include an understanding of the role of enzyme supplementation in promoting health as well as how enzymes may modulate gene functions. This review is an attempt to summarize current thinking in this area, provide some clarity in nomenclature and mechanisms, and suggest opportunities for expanded exploitation of this unique biotechnology.

BOARD-INVITED REVIEW: opportunities and challenges in using exogenous enzymes to improve nonruminant animal production.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, aquaculture is growing more rapidly than all other animal food-production sectors (www.fao.org). Its contribution to global supplies of several species of fish, crustaceans and mollusks increased from 3.9% of total production by weight in 1970 to 33% in 2005. It has been estimated that fisheries and aquaculture supplied the world with about 110 million metric tons of food fish per year (FAO, State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010.), providing a per capita supply of 16.7 kg (live weight equivalent). Of this supply, 47% is derived from aquaculture production. However, this production is hampered by unpredictable mortalities that may be due to negative interactions between fish and pathogenic bacteria. To solve this problem, farmers frequently use antibiotic compounds to treat bacterial diseases (Cabello 2006).

/pdf/antibiotics-in-aquaculture-use-abuse-and-alternatives-217n7bw94b.pdf

Antibiotics in Aquaculture – Use, Abuse and Alternatives

This paper summarizes the current knowledge regarding the possible modes of action and nutritional factors involved in the use of essential oils (EOs) for swine and poultry. EOs have recently attracted increased interest as feed additives to be fed to swine and poultry, possibly replacing the use of antibiotic growth promoters which have been prohibited in the European Union since 2006. In general, EOs enhance the production of digestive secretions and nutrient absorption, reduce pathogenic stress in the gut, exert antioxidant properties and reinforce the animal’s immune status, which help to explain the enhanced performance observed in swine and poultry. However, the mechanisms involved in causing this growth promotion are far from being elucidated, since data on the complex gut ecosystem, gut function, in vivo oxidative status and immune system are still lacking. In addition, limited information is available regarding the interaction between EOs and feed ingredients or other feed additives (especially pro- or prebiotics and organic acids). This knowledge may help feed formulators to better utilize EOs when they formulate diets for poultry and swine.

/pdf/essential-oil-and-aromatic-plants-as-feed-additives-in-non-3f0l9g4xl6.pdf

Essential oil and aromatic plants as feed additives in non-ruminant nutrition: a review

http://crsps.net/wp-content/downloads/AquaFish/Inventoried%2010.29/8-2007-4-463a.pdf

Application of microbial phytase in fish feed

Phytate formed during maturation of plant seeds and grains is a common constituent of plant-derived fish feed. Phytate-bound phosphorus (P) is not available to gastric or agastric fish. A major concern about the presence of phytate in the aquafeed is its negative effect on growth performance, nutrient and energy utilization, and mineral uptake. Bound phytate-P, can be effectively converted to available-P by phytase. During the last decade, phytase has been used by aqua feed industries to enhance the growth performance, nutrient utilization and bioavailability of macro and micro minerals in fish and also to reduce the P pollution into the aquatic environment. Phytase activity is highly dependent on the pH of the fish gut. Unlike mammals, fish are either gastric or agastric, and hence, the action of dietary phytase varies from species to species. In comparison to poultry and swine production, the use of phytase in fish feed is still in an unproven stage. This review discusses effects of phytate on fish, dephytinisation processes, phytase and pathway for phytate degradation, phytase production systems, mode of phytase application, bioefficacy of phytase, effects of phytase on growth performance, nutrient utilization and aquatic environment pollution, and optimum dosage of phytase in fish diets.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01169.x

Phytate and phytase in fish nutrition

Nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fed plant based low phosphorus diets supplemented with graded levels of different sources of microbial phytase

Nutritional evaluation of rapeseed protein compared to soy protein for quality, plasma amino acids, and nitrogen balance--a randomized cross-over intervention study in humans.

Summary

Diets with graded levels of the experimental microbial phytase SP1002 (0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 FTU/kg) were fed to juvenile Nile tilapia (average BW = 68.8 g) for 60 days (n = 4). A digestibility trial ran parallel to the growth trial using 0.3 g TiO2/100 g as an indigestible marker. The efficiency of phytase supplementation was evaluated by parameters of growth response, crude protein and mineral utilization (using body composition data), apparent nutrient digestibility, mineral content in scale and vertebra and inorganic phosphorus in blood plasma. Data were submitted to anova and Tukey-test using SAS-program. Significant improvements (p < 0.01) were found for growth, FCR and SGR, mainly for diets with 1000 and 2000 FTU/kg phytase supplementation. Protein utilization was significantly increased and maximized between 1000 and 2000 FTU/kg. Phosphorus utilization increased significantly up to 4000 FTU/kg. Digestibility of protein and phosphorus was also significantly improved. Phosphorus concentration in the blood, vertebra and scale increased significantly after phytase addition. Similarly, calcium and magnesium concentration in vertebra and scale were increased. Generally, phytase supplementation between 1000 and 2000 FTU/kg resulted in growth rates and mineralization parameters similar to a control diet with inorganic phosphorus.

Growth, nutrient utilization and parameters of mineral metabolism in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fed plant-based diets with graded levels of microbial phytase.

The effects on meat quality resulting from alternative dietary protein sources (Spirulina and Hermetia meal) in poultry diets are studied to determine the overall suitability of these ingredients considering state-of-the-art packaging practices—highly oxygenated modified atmosphere packaging (HiOx MAP). We monitored standard slaughterhouse parameters, such as live weight, carcass weight, dressed yield, and pH at 20 min and 24 h post mortem. In addition, we studied the effects that 3 and 7-day storage in HiOx MAP has on the overall product physico-chemical and sensory properties. In addition to previously supported effects of HiOx MAP, we found that meat quality could be improved when Spirulina replaces 50% of the soy protein in broiler diets; however, this substitution results in a dark reddish-yellowish meat colour. On the other hand, the substitution with Hermetia larval meal results in a product that does not differ from the standard fed control group, with the exception that the breast filet has a more intense flavour that decreases over storage time. All-in-all Spirulina and Hermetia meal have the potential to replace soybean meal in broiler diets without deteriorating meat quality.

https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/7/3/34/pdf

Meat Quality Derived from High Inclusion of a Micro-Alga or Insect Meal as an Alternative Protein Source in Poultry Diets: A Pilot Study

Different sources of microbial phytase in plant based low phosphorus diets for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus may provide different effects on phytate degradation

Frank Liebert

Papers

Nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fed plant based low phosphorus diets supplemented with graded levels of different sources of microbial phytase

Nutritional evaluation of rapeseed protein compared to soy protein for quality, plasma amino acids, and nitrogen balance--a randomized cross-over intervention study in humans.

Growth, nutrient utilization and parameters of mineral metabolism in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fed plant-based diets with graded levels of microbial phytase.

Meat Quality Derived from High Inclusion of a Micro-Alga or Insect Meal as an Alternative Protein Source in Poultry Diets: A Pilot Study

Different sources of microbial phytase in plant based low phosphorus diets for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus may provide different effects on phytate degradation