The rate of phytate P removal from feed (level of dephosphorylation, DL) and the extent to which the molecule of phytic acid is deprived of phosphate moieties (conversion degree, CD) were studied in vitro and in a feeding trial with broilers fed corn-soybean diets. In the in vitro model, phytase A asymptotically increased DL and CD. Phytase B influenced DL only at low dosages of phytase A [0 or 250 phytase activity units (FTU)/kg], but it enhanced CD irrespective of phytase A activity. In the feeding trial, 3-phytase A and 6-phytase A (at 750 FTU/kg) exerted similar effects on broiler performance and similarly influenced bone mineralization, P retention, and Ca retention. Phytase B [6,400 acid phosphatase activity units (ACPU)/kg] enhanced feed intake, BW gain (BWG), toe ash, and P retention but not the retention of Ca. Myo-inositol fed at 0.1% significantly increased BWG, but it reduced P retention. Under conditions of a higher CD (excess of phytase B), 3-phytase A was more effective in enhancing performance than 6-phytase A, but it reduced Ca retention. Lower phytase B activities (0 to 3,200 ACPU/kg) with added 6-phytase A were more necessary for optimal growth of chickens than for enhanced P and Ca retention (4,800 to 6,400 ACPU/kg). The efficacy of both forms of phytase A and phytase B depended on the Ca level in feed. There is enough evidence to conclude that myo-inositol phosphates resulting from simultaneous action of 3-phytase A and phytase B affect bird physiology differently than intermediates accumulated by the action of 6-phytase A and phytase B.

The biological activity of apple pectin extracted conventionally or enzymatically using endo-xylanase and endo-cellulase, was tested in vitro. The analyses were performerd in tetraplicates and the statistical significance of the differences were assessed using ANOVA, Tukey post hoc and LSD (the least significant difference) tests. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to determine the structural components that have a crucial importance for antioxidant and antitumor properties of pectins. The pectins extracted by enzymes contained up to four times more ferulic acid and showed twice as great ability to neutralize free radicals and Fe(III) reduction. The antiradical potential positively correlated with phenols, fucose and rhamnose content. In the assays performed on HT-29 human adenocarcinoma and B16F10 melanoma cell cultures, the “green” pectins, contrary to acid isolated ones, exhibited remarkable anti-neoplastic potential while being nontoxic to nontransformed L929 cell line. The pectins in the dose of 1 mg/mL were capable of inhibiting adhesion (max 23.1%), proliferation (max 40.4%), invasion (max 76.9%) and anchorage-independent growth (max 90%) of HT-29 cells (significance level p < 0.001). These pectin preparations were slightly less active towards B16F10 cells. The enzyme-isolated apple pectins may be useful as a functional food additive and an ingredient of the ointment formulas for post-surgical melanoma treatment.