Effects of Vitamin D, Citric Acid, and Phytase on Lowering Phosphorus Levels in the Monogastric Animal Diets, Resulting in Less Environmental Pollution

Abstract

This review provides an overview of the use of vitamin D and its metabolites, citric acid, and phytase to reduce the phosphorus content in manure. The vitamin D ₃ requirement of broilers up to 14 days of age at optimal dietary Ca and available P concentrations may be in the range 35 to 50 ug/kg for controlling bone quality and up to 250 ug/kg for preventing tibial dyschodroplasia (TD). 1α-OHD ₃ and 1,25-(OH) ₂ D ₃ were at least 10 times as active as D ₃ in bone mobilization. 4–6% citric acid produced the largest responses in growth and tibia ash in rats and chicks. Phytase increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in diets deficient in Ca and nonphytate phosphorus (nPP) in diets formulated to be adequate (or in excess) in all nutrients for simple gastric animals. The efficiency of supplementation of microbial phytase in layer hens is still under discussion.

KEY WORDS:

• vitamin D
• citric acid
• phytase
• supplemental P

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article was partially funded through the Taegu University Research Fund 2007, Gyong San, South Korea.