ABSTRACT - The objective of this trial was to compare the efficiency of phytase with an inorganic phosphate (dicalcium phosphate) when added to diets with or without defatted rice bran (DRB). One hundred and twenty eight pigs (50% barrows and 50% gilts) were housed in collective cages to evaluate the animals performance in the growing phase, and to determine the digestibility of the calcium and phosphorus using chromium oxide as an indicator and the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the coccyces vertebra of the animals. Eight treatments were used: four diets without DRB (corn-soybean meal) and four diets with 30% of DRB. Phytase levels of 0, 750 and 1000 PU/kg were added to both diets with or without DRB, and the third one without DRB presented 750 PU/kg without inorganic phosphate, while in the diets with DRB one of them was not supplemented neither with phytase and nor with inorganic phosphate. Diets with or without DRB supplementation showed the same efficiency on the performance of the animals as that ones supplemented with dicalcium phosphate. However, phytase reduced the excretion of calcium and phosphorus in the feces and in the bone composition of the animals, only when was supplemented in diets without DRB.
calcium; defatted rice bran; phosphorus; phytase; pigs
