Abstract—In the present study, the effect of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) on phosphorus (P) availability in broilers was investigated: non-germinated (BU) and germinated buckwheat (GBU) were used. Seeds samples were analyzed for proximate components, total P, phytate P and phytase activity. The efficacy of BU phytase was assessed by in vitro digestibility (dry matter, crude protein and phytate P) measurement and in vivo experiment using 20 male broilers. For both studies, a positive control (PC), negative control (NC), NC + 10% BU, and NC + 10% GBU diets were prepared where, BU and GBU were included at the rate of 10% NC diet at the expense of corn. Increased phytase activity in BU after germination resulted in decreased phytate P content which reflected through numerically increased in vitro phytate P digestibility. Increased (P<0.05) CP digestibility may be also a consequence of phytate P hydrolysis. Retention of nitrogen decreased (P<0.05) in broilers given NC diet, which was recovered with the addition of BU and GBU. Moreover, total P retention increased (P<0.05) in birds given BU and GBU added diet compared with NC diet. In conclusion, the results revealed that P utilization in birds could be improved when 10% of corn was replaced with BU and GBU, because of their high phytase activity.
 

Index Terms—broilers, buckwheat, germination, phytase activity, phytate phosphorus
 

Cite: Rakhi Chowdhury, Mustanur Rahman, and Katsuki Koh, "Evaluation of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) Intrinsic Phytase Activity to Improve Phosphorus Availability in Broilers," Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 82-86, March 2017. Doi: 10.18178/joaat.4.1.82-86