title: Corn expressing an Escherichia coli-derived phytase gene: a proof-of-concept nutritional study in pigs.
abstract: Two experiments were conducted to investigate the concept that the addition of corn expressing an Escherichia coli-derived gene (corn-based phytase; CBP) to a P-deficient diet would improve growth performance and P utilization in pigs. An E. coli-derived microbial phytase (expressed in Pichia pastoris) sprayed onto a wheat carrier (Quantum) was included for comparison. In Exp. 1, forty-eight 10-kg pigs were blocked by BW into 6 blocks and allotted to 8 dietary treatments such that the BW among dietary treatments was similar and given free access to feed for 28 d. The dietary treatments were a negative control (NC) with no inorganic P supplementation; NC + 2, 4, or 6 g of monosodium phosphate/kg; NC + 16,500, 33,000, or 49,500 phytase units (FTU) of CBP/kg; and NC + 16,500 FTU of Quantum/kg. In Exp. 2, twenty-four 13-kg barrows were assigned to the NC, NC + 16,500 or 33,000 FTU of CBP/kg, or NC + 16,500 FTU of Quantum/kg, in a nutrient- and energy-balance study consisting of 5 d of adjustment and 5-d collection periods. The total collection method was used to determine nutrient and energy balance. Addition of CBP to the low-P NC diet linearly increased (P < 0.01) ADG, G:F, and plasma P concentration of pigs during the 28-d study. There was no difference in ADG, G:F, or plasma P concentration between pigs fed the CBP or Quantum phytase at 16,500 FTU/kg. Weight gain, G:F, and plasma P concentration of pigs increased (P < 0.01) with monosodium phosphate supplementation, confirming P deficiency of the NC diet. Linear improvements (P < 0.05) in DM digestibility and energy retention were observed with CBP supplementation of the NC diet. Although there were linear (P < 0.01) and quadratic (P < 0.05) increases in N digestibility, N retention was unaffected by CBP supplementation of the NC diet in growing pigs. Phosphorus and Ca digestibilities and retentions improved linearly and quadratically (P < 0.01) with the addition of CBP to the NC diet. There was no difference in digestive utilization of P or Ca between pigs fed CBP and Quantum phytase at 16,500 FTU/kg. The data showed that the addition of a corn expressing an E. coli-derived gene to a P-deficient diet improved growth performance and indices of P utilization in pigs, and corn expressing phytase was as efficacious as Quantum phytase when supplemented in P-deficient diets for weanling pigs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA.
authors.forename: E K D
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Nyannor
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bedford
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adeola
mesh_terms: D010832:6-Phytase / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D015430:Weight Gain; D003313:Zea mays / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D010832:6-Phytase