Two new studies to be presented by AB Vista at this month’s Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture (LACQUA) Congress demonstrate that phytase offers tilapia producers a threefold benefit, affecting performance, profitability and sustainability.
The trials, conducted in partnership with the Federal University of Parana in Brazil, showed that the addition of 2,000 FTU/kg of Quantum Blue phytase to tilapia diets resulted in improvements across nutrient digestibility and retention, as well as mineral status and feed conversion rates.
The studies also indicated that such performance benefits impacted positively on feed costs and environmental welfare – which, as Alexandre Barbosa de Brito, AB Vista LAM Technical Manager explains, is of significant interest to producers:
“Strategies for reducing feed costs – which can account for 60% of total production expenditure – and minimising ecological damage are becoming increasingly important in the fish industry. The effect of phytase represents benefits for both: the improved mineral status spares 0.25% of available phosphorus, reducing production costs, whilst the increased retention of nutrients results in lower levels of water pollution.”
Outlining the related mode of action of the enzyme, Mr de Brito explains:
“Quantum Blue breaks down the phytate found in plant-based ingredients, releasing phosphorus that otherwise would not be available. In addition, calcium ions are released, which are usually linked to the phytate molecule – and therefore are unavailable for absorption.
“In addition, it was demonstrated throughout these recent trials that phytate affects endogenous secretions by the animal, and reduces the digestibility of various nutrients in the intestinal lumen of the animals, which can be attenuated by the addition of phytase.”
The research will be presented during the 4pm session on October 25th at LACQUA, taking place in Colombia from October 23rd to 26th. Registration remains open at https://www.was.org/meetings/default.aspx?code=lacqua18
For more information, contact AB Vista on +44(0)1672 517 650 or info@abvista.com. Follow AB Vista on Twitter: @ABVista.
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Notes to editor:
AB Vista is an animal nutrition technology company offering pioneering products and technical services to the global animal feed industry. Since its establishment in 2004, AB Vista has grown to be a top-three player in feed enzymes and is also one of the largest suppliers of natural betaine to the global animal nutrition industry. The company invests heavily in research and development and has a growing portfolio of products and services spanning the poultry, swine, ruminant and aquaculture sectors. AB Vista is headquartered in the UK, with regional offices located in the USA, Brazil, Singapore, Spain, India, China, Germany and Finland.
AB Vista is part of AB Agri, the agricultural division of Associated British Foods, one of Europe’s largest food & retail companies with a market capitalisation of £22 billion.
For further press information please contact Sonya Hayden or Sue Milne-Bennett on +44 (0)20 8647 4467.
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