Tiago Tedeschi dos Santos
Innovation Director
AB Vista

Once regarded as a niche solution, feed enzymes have moved to the centre of discussions around animal performance, feed efficiency and environmental sustainability. Yet much of the biological potential offered by key enzyme groups such as phytases and NSPases remains underutilised. Re-examining this potential could open the door to a new phase in animal nutrition.

The use of enzymes in monogastric nutrition has come a long way since its origins in Finland in 1984, where non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes (NSPases), particularly β-glucanases, were introduced to improve nutrient availability in barley-based diets. What began as a niche solution has evolved into a global industry, central to improving feed efficiency, sustainability, and animal performance. Yet, despite decades of progress, the full potential of enzymes – particularly phytases and fibre-degrading enzymes – remains underexplored. This represents a unique opportunity to unlock new metabolic benefits.

FROM PROBLEM-SOLVING TO PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING

Early enzyme applications focused on solving specific nutritional challenges, such as NSP-degrading enzymes which helped reduce viscosity in barley diets – turning a previously undervalued grain into a viable feed ingredient. By the 1990s, enzyme use expanded into wheat and corn-based diets, with xylanases and other NSPases improving digestibility, gut health, and protein utilisation.

During the 1990s, phytase began to find its footing due to tightening environmental regulations. Regions driving this included the Netherlands and Northern Germany, where livestock farming led to manure runoff causing high levels of phosphorus to leach into waterways. Phytase offered an effective feed solution by cutting environmental phosphorus loads at the source, releasing phosphorus from phytate, reducing environmental impact and helping to manage feed costs. This led to an accelerated global adoption, particularly after the 2007 phosphate crisis when rising costs exemplified phytase a strategic necessity.

RETHINKING SCIENTIFIC BOUNDARIES

Despite growing adoption, enzyme innovation has been constrained by narrow scientific paradigms. The industry’s focus on measurable outcomes (phosphorus release, viscosity reduction) has led to a reductionist view of enzyme function. This has limited research into their potentially broader metabolic and physiological roles.

For example, commercial use of phytase typically targets only the higher phytate esters (especially IP6 and IP5), leaving lower esters (IP4-IP2 and IP1) untouched. Yet emerging research suggests that full phytate degradation (down to inositol) could unlock significant benefits – including improved protein digestibility, immune function, and oxygen transport in rapidly growing birds.

In high-altitude regions, where oxygenation challenges can lead to conditions like woody breast myopathy or ascites, enhanced red blood cell function via inositol availability could improve both welfare and performance.

It’s also important to look at NSPases with a broader lens. Despite being traditionally viewed as tools for fibre breakdown, specifically viscosity reduction, their potential to modulate gut fermentation, microbiota composition, and inflammatory responses is gaining attention. Differentiating between prebiotic, stimbiotic, and structural roles requires greater understanding of enzyme-substrate interactions and oligosaccharide profiles. The question of which oligosaccharide types – such as xylans, mannans, glucans or tailored combinations – influence gut integrity, whether negatively by stimulating bacterial development in the upper gut or provoking unnecessary immune responses, or positively by supporting optimal outcomes, remains open. What is becoming increasingly clear is that molecular structure of those oligosaccharides and dose play a critical role in shaping intestinal health and microbial ecology or those compounds. 

ENZYMES AS STRATEGIC TOOLS

There’s a persistent perception that enzymes are commoditised and homogenous additives, similar to amino acids. This oversimplifies their complexity and variability. Enzymes differ significantly in thermostability, gastric resilience, substrate specificity and outcome product of lysis, all of which influence their performance in the digestive tract.

Phytase is increasingly being recognised as a candidate for strategic re-evaluation. The concept of ‘superdosing’ –  not just for phosphorus release but for full dephytinisation – represents a shift in approach. Complete conversion of IP6 to lower inositol phosphates and free inositol may enhance amino acid utilisation, muscle synthesis, oxygenation, and antioxidant capacity. These effects are especially relevant in fast-growing broilers, where physiological bottlenecks, especially cardiac and respiratory, can limit growth and welfare. Beyond mineral release, the potential to influence meat quality, growth efficiency, and systemic resilience is becoming clearer.

NSPases could also be repositioned as functional additives. Typically viewed as tools for fibre breakdown, they are now getting attention for their ability to modulate gut fermentation, microbiota composition, and inflammatory responses. These enzymes can trigger beneficial microbial responses, either by acting as stimbiotics in the lower gut or by limiting bacterial growth in the upper gut, allowing targeted oligosaccharides to drive effects without bulk fermentation. At the same time, the immune responses generated by original fibre components and their degradation fractions open new opportunities for gut health and immune modulation.

LOOKING AHEAD

Phytases and NSPases (mostly xylanase, glucanase and mannanase) are far from finished technologies. Their current use reflects only a fraction of their potential. By revisiting assumptions, refining dosing strategies, and deepening our understanding of enzyme-microbe-host dynamics, we can redefine their role in feed formulation.

The case for renewed investment is compelling – not just to meet cost and compliance benchmarks, but to unlock meaningful gains in animal health, performance, and sustainability.