Kathirvelan, CJanani, SRRamesh, JPurushothaman, MRTANUVAS2020-08-102020-08-102015http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810150559TNV_IJSET_2015_4(4)1214-1217First commercialised in 1991, phytase is now present in over 60% of monogastric feed, and possibly even in a higher percentage of poultry diets. Since first commercial utilisation, phytase has mainly been considered to be a tool to increase phosphourus (P) availability/digestibility from vegetable sources and so reduce the inclusion of higher cost P sources. Here, phytase releases the P bound in the phytate molecule, increasing the availability/digestibility of this mineral to the animal. Thus, increasing the inclusion rate of phytase would be expected to release additional P from the indigestible feed phytate and consequently allow an even greater substitution of higher cost P sources. When phytases act on the phytate molecule, they also increase the solubility of the phytate while reducing its anti-nutritional effect. Phytate is known to be an anti-nutrient, affecting an increase in mucus production and the loss of amino acids, altering patterns of sodium secretion into the gut and influencing the absorption of minerals.enVeterinary ScienceArticle