Inconsistencies in the estimated phosphorus requirements of growing pigs have come to light in recent years due to environmental constraints being imposed on the livestock production sector. Values of a net requirement estimated by the ARC (1981) extend from 4.6 g/day for 25kg liveweight to 5.2 g/day for 45kg pigs, but current literature suggesting that the actual requirement may be lower (eg Jongbloed and Everts, 1991) calls for a revision of previous recommendations.

Around two thirds of the total phosphorus in cereals exists in the form of insoluble phytates which must be degraded before the phosphorus can be absorbed in the intestine. Under experimental conditions, the use of phytase in pig diets has demonstrated consistent improvements in phosphorus digestibility. The enzyme hydrolyses phytate by stepwise removal of orthophosphates, which become available for absorption in the gut. Although quantification of phytase/phosphorus substitution is as yet undetermined, digestibility results so far indicate that if used correctly the enzyme could largely replace inorganic phosphates, particularly in regions where soil phosphate levels are of concern.