Résumé
Phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) represents the major storage form of phosphorus in cereal grains, legumes, pollens and oilseeds. However, the bioavailability of phosphorus-phytate in plant derived feedstuffs is limited because monogastric animals lack intestinal phytase at the level needed to hydrolyse phytate and release the necessary inorganic phosphorus [1]. One solution currently employed is amendment of animal rations with phytase [2]. Phytases (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate 3- and 6-phosphohydrolase) catalyse the hydrolytic degradation of phytate yielding lower inositol phosphates (InsP5 to InsP1), myo-inositol and inorganic phosphate. Phytases are produced by a wide range of organisms : plant, animal and especially microorganisms.