Introduction
The product ePhyt is a feed additive that contains 3-phytase. The product is authorised for use in the EU in chickens, turkeys and pigs for fattening. Both liquid and solid forms of the additive are available. The phytase product is expected to be authorised for use in pigs for fattening and turkeys for fattening.
Technical specifications of ePhyt® (solid or Liquid)
EU category
Zootechnical additives
Functional group of additives
Digestibility enhancer
Active substance
3-Phytase (EC 3.1.3.8)
Phytase activity in the product
Solid product: 10 000 FTU/g
Liquid product: 1 000 U/ml
EU approval, minimum content
For the animal species below 500 FTU/kg feed
Chickens for fattening
Chickens reared for laying
Minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying or breeding purposes
Turkeys for fattening
Turkeys reared for breeding purposes
Pigs for fattening
Minor porcine species for fattening
For the animal species below 1000 FTU/kg feed
Laying hens
End of period of EU authorisation
Solid product, below species authorised until 5 June 2029
Chickens for fattening:
Chickens reared for laying
Minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying or breeding purposes
Laying hens
Authorised until 17 March 2031:
Turkeys for fattening
Turkeys reared for breeding purposes
Pigs for fattening
Minor porcine species for fattening
Liquid product
Chickens for fattening: 14 June 2027
Laying hens: 14 June 2027
Chickens reared for laying: 20 February 2029
Minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying or breeding: 20 February 2029
Turkeys for fattening: 17 March 2031
Turkeys reared for breeding purposes: 17 March 2031
Pigs for fattening: 17 March 2031
Minor porcine species for fattening: 17 March 2031
EU code
4a25
Production organism
Genetically modified Komagataella pastoris, CECT 13094
Donor organism
Serratia odorifera
Product storage stability
Liquid product
Samples from three batches were collected and stored for six months at 4°C, 25°C or 40°C. When stored at 4°C for six months, no losses were observed. The analytical results showed that over 61% of the initial activity was recovered when stored at 25°C for six months. Storage at 40°C had a considerable negative effect on the breakdown of phytase as only 19.7-24.3% of the initial activity could be recovered.
Solid product
Three batches of the product were stored for six months at 25°C or 40°C. After six months of storage, enzyme activity did not decrease.
Storage stability in premix and feed
Liquid product
Samples of mash chicken or layer feed supplemented with 250 FTU/kg or 500 FTU/kg were collected. The samples were stored in paper bags for 3 months at either 25°C or 35°C. When stored at 25°C, 86 - 94% of the initial phytase activity in the chicken feed could be recovered. At the higher temperature, 74% of the initial phytase activity could be measured. In the layer feed, there was no loss when 250 FTU/kg was added and stored at 25°C and a recovery of 90% in the 500 FTU/kg layer feed. When the layer feed was stored at 35°C, the activity was reduced to 68 % and 62%.
Solid product
Three batches of the product were added to a vitamin/mineral premix and stored for six months at room temperature. After six months of storage, the remaining phytase activity ranged from 81% to 88% of the initial activity.
Heat stability
The liquid product is for post-pelleting use only.
Three batches of the solid product were added to a chicken mash feed and subsequently pelleted at 80-85 °C. The pelleting process reduced the phytase activity by 12%. Samples of the pelleted and the mash feed were further stored for three months at either 25°C or 35 °C. No reduction in phytase activity compared with the initial one could be detected when the pelleted and mash feed was stored at 25°C. Mash feed stored at 35°C did not show any reduction, whereas the pelleted feed stored at 35°C showed a 20% reduction in phytase activity.
Homogeneity
Liquid product
Three batches of chicken feed were used to determine the capacity of the additive to mix homogeneously. Ten subsamples of each batch were collected and analysed. In the mash feed, the CV was ≤12.5% and in the pelleted feed <18%.
Solid product
Samples of both mash and pelleted feed were collected, and the distribution of the additive in the feed was determined. In the mash feed, the CV was <6% and in the pelleted feed, the CV was <19%
Carrier
Liquid product
Enzyme protein: 1.2 g/L, sorbitol: 28-32%; sodium acetate anhydrate: 0.4-0.6%; potassium sorbate: 0.08 - 1.20%; water: 68-72%
Solid product
1.2 % protein; wheat bran: 90%; sodium citrate: 5%; water: 2-8%
Physical properties
Liquid product
The bulk density in three product batches ranged from 1.11 to 1.14 kg/L, and the viscosity ranged from 2.68 to 3.80 cP.
Solid product
Dusting potential was measured in two batches of the product. The analytical results showed a dusting potential of 45mg/m3 for inhalable particles and 0.5 mg/m3 for respirable particles. An analysis of the particle size in the product showed that 22% of the particles were < 100 µm, 13% < 50µm and 3% < 10µm. The bulk density of the product ranged from 640 to 656 kg/m3
Handling
The European Commission states: "For users of the additive and premixtures, feed business operators shall establish operational procedures and organisational measures to address potential risks resulting from its use. Where those risks cannot be eliminated or reduced to a minimum by such procedures and measures, the additive and premixtures shall be used with personal protective equipment, including skin and breathing protection."
Manufacturer
GlobalFeed
List of references
EFSA (2016). Safety and Efficacy of 3-phytase FLF1000 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and laying hens. EFSA Journal 2016;14(11):4622
EFSA (2019). Safety and Efficacy of 3-phytase FSF1000 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening or reared for laying, laying hens and minor poultry species. EFSA Journal 2019;17(1):5543
EU (2017). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/895 of 24 May 2017 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella pastoris (CECT 13094) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and laying hens (holder of authorisation Fertinagro Nutrientes S.L.). Official Journal of the European Union. L 138/120-122
EU (2019). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/144 of 28 January 2019 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella pastoris (CECT 13094) as a feed additive for chickens reared for laying and minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying or for breeding (holder of authorisation Fertinagro Nutrientes S.L.). Official Journal of the European Union. L 27/8-10
EU (2019). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/781 of 15 May 2019 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella pastoris (CECT 13094) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening or reared for laying, laying hens and minor poultry species for fattening, for breeding and reared for laying (holder of authorisation Fertinagro Nutrientes S.L.). Official Journal of the European Union. L 127/1-3
EU (2021). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/330 of 24 February 2021 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella phaffii CECT 13094 as a feed additive for pigs for fattening, minor porcine species, turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding. (holder of authorisation Fertinagro Biotech S.L.). Official Journal of the European Union. L 65/43-46