Phytase is an enzyme chemically known as myo-inositol
hexakisphosphate phosphohydrolase. It hydrolyzes phytic
acid to myo-inositol and phosphoric acid in a stepwise
manner forming myo-inositol phosphate intermediates. The
addition of microbial phytase has been seen as a way to
reduce the level of phosphate pollution in areas of intensive
animal production. Numerous studies have shown the
effectiveness of supplementation of microbial phytases in
improving utilization of phosphate from phytate. Therefore,
inorganic phosphorous supplementation in the diets of
monogastric animals can be obviated by including adequate
amounts of phytase and as a result, the faecal
phosphate excretion of these animals may be reduced by up
to 50 % (Walz and Pallauf 2002). Moreover,