Phytase-mimetic sulfated lanthanum oxycarbonate nanorods: A potential alternative for degrading phytic acid and...

Phytic acid, an anti-nutritional factor found in cereals and major crops like wheat, maize, rice, and sorghum, chelates essential cations such as Fe²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Zn²⁺, hindering their absorption in monogastric animals. Instead of excluding these feeds, phytase should be incorporated to hydrolyze phytic acid. In this study, sulfated lanthanum oxycarbonate nanorods (SLOC-NRs) were introduced as a phytase-mimetic feed additive aimed at degrading phytic acid and enhancing the nutritional quality of staple foods. The SLOC-NRs were synthesized and characterized through techniques including X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Their phytase-mimetic activity was evaluated, yielding a specific activity of 4991 Units/g and a catalytic rate constant of 293 s^-1. The Michaelis-Menten constant and maximum reaction velocity for phytic acid hydrolysis were 45 μM and 8.8 μM min^-1 mg^-1, respectively. Notably, SLOC-NRs were stable at 80 °C in the pH range from 2 to 10. In vivo studies demonstrated significant improvements in mineral bioavailability with the addition of SLOC-NRs, indicating their potential to counteract the negative effects of phytic acid. Furthermore, in vitro digestion confirmed the efficacy of SLOC-NRs in degrading phytic acid under controlled conditions. These results suggest that SLOC-NRs could serve as a viable alternative to native enzymes, significantly enhancing the nutritional quality of cereal-based feeds and improving mineral bioavailability in monogastric diets.