Improving nutrient availability of defatted rice bran using different phytase sources applied to grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) diet

Abstract In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the hydrolysis of phytate of defatted rice bran (DRB) by a pretreatment with non-commercial phytase produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DRB-PS) compared to the application of Natuphos® (commercial phytase produced by the BASF Company) (DRB-PN) in diets for grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella. Fish (57.55 ± 0.4 g) fed one of the experimental diets in triplicates for 35 days. Effects of the phytase used on blood parameters, intestinal proteases and hepatic glucose were not observed (p > 0.05). Similarly, no differences were found for serum phosphorus (P). However, were found higher levels of calcium (9 and 5.25%) in the control treatment in relation to DRB-PS and DRB-PN respectively, besides higher calcium-phosphorus ratio was found in this treatment. For the fish carcass composition was not statistically different (p > 0.05) except total lipids, which showed its highest content in fish fed on the DRB-PN diet (p < 0.05). The obtained results suggested that the use of the phytase, irrespective to its source may eliminate the use of traditional P sources in fish diets.