Phytase in Pig Diets: Technical and Economic Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Agricultural Economics

Background:

• Phytase is widely used in swine diets, but updated evidence on its efficacy is needed.
• Dietary phosphorus reduction impacts pig performance and carcass traits.
• Economic evaluation of enzyme supplementation requires current data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of phytase supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, and economic returns in growing-finishing pigs.
• To combine meta-analysis with economic modeling to assess phytase efficacy.
• To update the evidence on phytase effects in swine production.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific literature (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus) following PRISMA guidelines.
• Meta-analysis of 17 studies comparing basal diet (BD), reduced-phosphorus diet without phytase (DRP), and reduced-phosphorus diet with phytase (DRP + P).
• Economic modeling to assess profitability based on performance and feed costs.

Main Results:

• Phosphorus reduction (DRP vs. BD) impaired performance, reducing daily weight gain, feed intake, and final weight.
• Phytase supplementation (DRP + P vs. DRP) significantly improved daily weight gain, feed intake, final weight, and feed conversion.
• Phytase increased profit by up to US$5.14 per pig compared to reduced-phosphorus diets and remained economically advantageous with increased enzyme costs.

Conclusions:

• Phytase supplementation effectively improves growth performance and economic returns in growing-finishing pigs fed reduced-phosphorus diets.
• Phytase is a valuable tool for optimizing swine production systems, mitigating the negative effects of phosphorus reduction.
• The economic benefits of phytase are substantial and robust, even under varying enzyme prices.