Other Enzymes: Phytases

Abstract Phytases ( myo -inositol hexakisphosphate hydrolases) are a special class of phosphatases that have been widely used in the animal feed industry and have major implications in human health. This chapter presents diverse sources of these enzymes, giving emphasis to microbial phytases and their in vivo function, their regulation, and molecular methods for isolating novel phytases. Production methods for phytases by traditional and recombinant means and their impact on the global feed enzyme market are briefly discussed. Strain improvement of phytase-producing microbes by classical mutagenesis and specific enzyme property improvement by gene manipulation are also included to illustrate advances in meeting the prerequisites for a tailor-made phytase with manifold qualities.