ABSTRACT

All living organisms depend upon a continuous supply of phosphates for the formation of structural body components, such as bones, and several other physiological mechanisms to function. The required amounts have already been estimated, and different scientific committees have published dietary allowances for poultry (NRC, 1994; GfE, 1999; Rostagno, 2011). The phosphate supply along the food chain is maintained by the application of fertilizers and feed phosphates, which are produced largely from rock phosphates. The global rock phosphate stores are limited, and they might face depletion within a century (Cordell et al., 2009). This limitation, together with the accumulation of these stores in only a few countries, is considered one of the greatest challenges facing sustainable food production (Gross, 2010; Neset and Cordell, 2012). Specifically in regard to the farm animal sector, there are two main approaches to address these challenges: (1) exploring possibilities for reduction in feed phosphate application and (2) improving the efficacy of phytase supplements in non-ruminant feeding (Rodehutscord, 2008). These

challenges have initiated an increased research regarding the presence and role of inositol phosphates in the gastrointestinal tract.