Effects of simultaneous supplementation of 3-phytase and 6-phytase on phosphorus and calcium digestibility in growing pigs

Do, Hyunseok; Kim, Beob Gyun

doi:.0.0.0

Article

https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.250775 [Accepted] Published online November 14, 2025.

Effects of simultaneous supplementation of 3-phytase and 6-phytase on phosphorus and calcium digestibility in growing pigs

Hyunseok Do¹

, Beob Gyun Kim^1,*

Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: Beob Gyun Kim, Tel: +82-2-2049-6255, Email: beobgyun@naver.com

Received: 14 October 2025 • Revised: 7 November 2025 • Accepted: 11 November 2025

Abstract

Objective
The present study aimed to determine the effects of supplemental 3-phytase, 6-phytase, or both on total tract digestibility of phosphorus (P) and calcium in corn-soybean meal-based diets fed to growing pigs.
Methods
Twelve barrows with initial body weight of 63.1±3.0 kg were allotted to a triplicated 4×3 incomplete Latin square design with 4 diets and 3 periods to obtain 9 observations per diet. The experimental diets comprised 1) a control diet based on 73.3% corn and 23.0% soybean meal without inorganic P source or supplemental phytase, 2) the control diet supplemented with 1,000 phytase unit (FTU)/kg of 3-phytase, 3) the control diet supplemented with 1,000 FTU/kg of 6-phytase, and 4) the control diet supplemented with both 3-phytase at 500 FTU/kg and 6-phytase at 500 FTU/kg.
Results
Supplemental phytase reduced (p<0.05) the daily P output from pigs regardless of the phytase source or the combination of the 2 phytase sources. The pigs fed the diet supplemented with 6-phytase or both 3-phytase and 6-phytase had less daily P output compared with those fed the diet supplemented with only 3-phytase (p<0.05). The total tract digestibility of P in pigs fed the diet supplemented with both 3-phytase and 6-phytase was greater (p<0.05) than those fed the control diet or the diet supplemented with only 3-phytase. The apparent total tract digestibility of calcium in pigs fed the diet supplemented with 6-phytase or both 3-phytase and 6-phytase was greater compared with the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Taken together, supplemental phytase increased P digestibility in corn-soybean meal-based diets fed to growing pigs regardless of the phytase sources and the effects of supplemental phytase on the P and calcium digestibility were most pronounced in the mixture of 3-phytase and 6-phytase.

Keywords: Digestibility; Phosphorus; Phytase; Swine