Amelioration in Growth and Phosphorus Assimilation of Poultry Birds Using Cell-Bound Phytase of Pichia Anomala

Cell-bound phytase of Pichia anomala was produced in glucose-beef extract medium in shake flasks and in a laboratory fermenter at 25 °C for 24 h at 250 rev/min. In the fermenter the biomass production increased and the fermentation time was reduced from 24 to 16 h. Two-week-old broiler chicks were fed with the biomass-supplemented feed [at 100 g/7.5 kg; 50-phytase units/bird/day]. The overall weight gain in the biomass-fed chicks was higher (90.2%) than that of the control group (77.7%). The biomass incorporation in the feed of broiler chicks also resulted in a better phosphorus retention (29% in the control, and 73.68% in the biomass-fed) in the body, consequently an improved growth. There was a decrease in the excretion of phosphorus in the faeces of the chicks fed with phytase-supplemented diet (188.9 mg/g dry matter) as compared to the chicks fed on unsupplemented broiler finisher ration (509.4 mg/g dry matter). This eliminated the need to supplement phosphorus in their diet and also reduced phosphorus pollution. The feed conversion ratio was also lowered for chicks, which were biomass-fed as compared to the control.