Phytate-free nutrition
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Summary
Cutting edge microbial phytases virtually entirely remove reactive phytate from animal diets with considerable physiological effects, effects which will be elucidated in this project.
Supervisor(s)
Associate Professor Aaron Cowieson
Research Location
Program Type
Masters/PHD
Synopsis
Phytases are hydrolytic enzymes commonly added to the diets of farmed animals in order to dephosphorylate phytate, a polyphosphate ester of inositol which is ubiquitous in legumes, cereals and oilseed meals. Phytate has a range of physiological effects in the digestive tract including hypersecretion of pepsin, HCl, mucin, bile and bicarbonate and so the removal of this with phytase alters the animals perception of the feed matrix. These changes in digestibility must be accommodated by strategic modification to the balance of nutrients in the diet, notably Ca, P and Na. The aim of this project is to assess the effect of microbial phytase in poultry nutrition and digestive biochemistry in order to enhance digestibility of minerals, amino acids and energy and improve the sustainability of poultry.
Additional Information
This project will be supported by a Poultry CRC Scholarship for the successful applicant. These Scholarships are available only to Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents. The Scholarships offer an annual stipend of $30,000 AUD as well as up to $20,000 AUD per annum in operating costs. The project will be run as part of a larger project supported by a commercial partner. International applicants will be considered if they have scholarships already in place.
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Keywords
poultry, Poultry nutrition, poultry digestive biochemistry, poultry production
Opportunity ID
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1191
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