Mini Review: Biologi Penyerapan Nutrisi dengan Suplementasi Fitase pada Unggas

Abstract

Phytase has emerged as a pivotal catalyst in modern poultry nutrition due to its unique capacity to hydrolyze phytate and liberate bound nutrients that would otherwise remain biologically inaccessible. In cereal-based diets, phytate acts as a major anti-nutritional factor, chelating phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and essential amino acids, thus suppressing nutrient availability despite adequate chemical composition. Consequently, the inclusion of microbial phytase in poultry feed has been widely explored not as a simple additive, but as a biological modulator capable of restructuring digestive functionality at biochemical, histological, and microbial levels. This mini-review synthesizes current literature to elaborate the mechanistic basis of phytate degradation, intestinal morphometric responses, and the subsequent improvement of nutrient absorption efficiency across poultry species.

Evidence from multiple studies consistently demonstrates that phytase-mediated dephosphorylation enhances phosphorus bioavailability, improves protein utilization, and alters gut morphology through increased villus height, crypt depth, and absorptive surface area. These structural adaptations signify an elevated capacity for nutrient uptake, reflecting a coordinated intestinal response to reduced phytate interference. Moreover, phytase supplementation has been associated with a shift toward beneficial fermentative microbiota, supporting short-chain fatty acid synthesis, particularly butyrate, which serves as a primary energy substrate for enterocytes and strengthens mucosal integrity. Such findings highlight that phytase functions beyond enzymatic breakdown, acting as an orchestrator of nutrient liberation, epithelial remodeling, and microbial equilibrium.

Through an integrated interpretation of biochemical, morphological, and ecological perspectives, this review underscores phytase as a driver of improved feed efficiency and a strategic tool for reducing dependency on inorganic phosphorus sources. By compiling central research trajectories, this work positions phytase as a foundation for next-generation precision feeding systems that target nutrient bioefficiency, gut health, and sustainable poultry production.

Keywords: Phytate hydrolysis; Intestinal morphometric; Nutrient bioavailability, Phytase; Poultry nutrition.