Use of Phytases (myo-Inositolhexakisphosphate Phosphohydrolases) for Combatting Environmental Pollution: A Biological Approach

Intensive animal agriculture has led to increasing environmental pollution due to the high load of phosphorus excretion by the monogastric animals, owing to their inherent inability to digest plant phytate. Phytase (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate phosphohydrolase; EC 3.1.3.8 and EC 3.1.3.26) hydrolyzes the phosphate moieties of phytic acid. This process results in lowering of the phosphorylated myo-inositol derivatives and results in the loss of ability of the phytic acid to chelate metal ions. Addition of phytase in pig and poultry supplements improves the feed quality, reduces the phytate phosphorus excretion, and helps in maintaining the environmental balance of the concerned areas. Therefore, phytase is a potential candidate for use as an enzyme that can take care some of the environmental problems resulted by eutrophication and constant chelating of nutrient factors from the soil. In this review, we describe the recent trends in phytase research, making phytase a potential candidate as feed additive to overcome phosphorus pollution, and its other applications concerning the ecology and environment. Recent developments in the transgenic field concerning phytase, with the potential to address environmental problems, are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• acid-phosphatases
• animal feed pelleting
• eutrophication
• phytase family
• phytases
• phytic acid