Abstract
Microbial degradation of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) is crucial to deal with nutritional problems in monogastric animals as well as to prevent environmental phosphate pollution. The present study deals with the degradation of IP6 by microorganisms such as Sporosarcina spp. pasteurii, globiospora, psychrophila, Streptococcus thermophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii. These microbes were screened for phytase production under laboratory conditions. The specificity of the enzyme was tested for various phosphorylated substrates such as sodium phytate (IP6), sodium hexametaphosphate, phenyl phosphate, α-d-glucose-6 phosphate, inosine 5' monophosphate and pyridoxal 5' phosphate. These enzymes were highly specific to IP6. The influence of modulators such as phytochemicals and metal ions on the enzymatic activity was assessed. These modulators in different concentrations had varying effect on microbial phytases. Calcium (in optimal concentration of 0.5 M) played an important role in enzyme activation. The enzymes were then characterized based on their molecular weight 41~43 kDa. The phytase-producing microbes were assessed for IP6 degradation in a simulated intestinal setup. Among the selected microbes, Sporosarcina globiospora hydrolyzed IP6 effectively, as confirmed by colorimetric time-based analysis.