This study was carried out to determine the phytase levels in diets for growing swine selected for meat deposition. Sixty-four crossbred swine (32 barrows and 32 females), with an average initial weight of 23.311±2.254 kg were distributed in a block design with four treatments and eight replications of two animals (one male and one female) each. The treatments consisted of a control diet with vegetables ingredients, without dicalcium phosphate and phytase inclusion, containing 0.100% available phosphorus and three other diets obtained by the inclusion of 300, 600 and 1200 phytase units (FTU kg-1) to the control diet. Levels of phytase influenced linearly the daily weight gain and feed intake, increasing to the level of 293 and 307 FTU kg-1 diet, respectively, from which remained on a plateau. Feed conversion ratio decreased to 255 FTU kg-1 diet, and remained on a plateau. Levels of phytase did not affect the levels of ash and phosphorus in animal bone. There was decreasing linear effect of treatments on the biochemical results of alkaline phosphatase. The best results in weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion were obtained, respectively, with levels of 293, 307 and 255 FTU kg-1 of feed for pigs of high genetic potential for lean deposition during the 55 to 90 days of age.
calcium and phosphorus; development; enzyme; feed; swine production.
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