The importance of phytase as a novel feed additive lies in its ability to enhance mineral utilization and nutritional value in animal diets. By degrading phytic acid, a major anti-nutritional factor, phytase improves the absorption of essential minerals, promoting better growth and health in livestock and poultry. This innovative feed additive contributes to more efficient feed conversion and reduced environmental impact, making it a valuable tool in modern agriculture to ensure sustainable and responsible animal nutrition practices.
In our integrated human practice activity, we conducted surveys and expert interviews. The survey collected diverse opinions and perspectives, while the expert interviews provided valuable insights and recommendations. This helped us gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue's impact on society and the environment, and explore sustainable solutions.
Our project aim to dvelop a phytase enzyme products which is able to break down phytate and catabolize bound phosphorus, making it easier for animals to absorb the feed. All fertilizer users are our potential customers as the product will be made in the form of feed additive.
Figure1：introduction
Questionnaire
Survey
In order to understand the public's understanding of feed additives and their views on the future development prospects of feed additives, we issued a questionnaire on the public's understanding of feed additives through Microsoft forms. From the results, we clearly understand that the general public lacks adequate knowledge about feed additives. We can know the main science popularization direction and market development.
Figure2：What is your age
We collected 3522 questionnaires. The respondents to the questionnaire encompassed individuals from minors under the age of 18 to seniors over 60. Among them, the 18-35 age group constituted the largest cohort, comprising a total of 2,214 individuals and accounting for 63% of the sample. In terms of educational attainment, a majority of participants were at an undergraduate level, with a count of 1,280 individuals two sets of fundamental data indicate that our survey primarily targeted college-educated individuals aged between 18 and 35.
Figure3: What is your education level
Figure4: Do you support adding feed additives to feed
To gain insights into the public's stance on feed additives, we posed the following question: "Do you endorse the utilization of additives in animal feed?" As per our survey findings, a staggering 86 percent or 3,033 individuals expressed their opposition towards it. Merely 6% of respondents showed support. This data underscores that while feed additives hold immense significance for livestock and poultry breeding as well as feed processing enterprises by enhancing nutrient absorption in animals, there exists a general lack of clarity among people regarding the fundamental concept of such additives. Consequently, there is widespread resistance to incorporating them into animal feed. This further emphasizes the importance and necessity of our educational initiatives.
When the survey participants were informed about the numerous benefits of feed additives in the agricultural sector, such as enhancing farming productivity and efficiency, reducing animal disease prevalence, and improving meat quality, we posed the question "What are your thoughts on the future prospects of feed additives?" The survey findings indicate that over half of respondents hold a positive stance, opting for choices like "will be promoted and developed" and "should not face excessive external interference," accounting for a total of 57%. This demonstrates that more than half of individuals exbit optimism and support towards the market's development potential for feed additives.
Figure5: What do you think about the development prospects of feed additives
Figure6：Are you willing to learn more about feed additives
The question "Would you be interested in participating in our follow-up research or activities to further explore feed additives?" was posed to gauge the level of interest among individuals for future educational endeavors. Based on the data, it is evident that 2326 respondents, accounting for 66%, expressed their willingness to engage in subsequent educational activities. This substantiates the substantial audience and practical significance of our educational initiatives focused on "phytase - New feed additives."
Through this questionnaire survey, we have gained a comprehensive understanding of the public's perception towards feed additives, their market prospects, and their engagement in our educational initiatives. Based on these valuable insights and information, we will strategically design targeted thematic educational activities and online content.
Interview with Dr.Zhang Xiandong of Elanco
1. Expert background and research introduction
In order to understand the current situation and real situation of the animal feed market, we interviewed expert Dr. Zhang Xiandong，who is currently the Nutrition Technical Director of Li LAN Animal Protection China. He is a doctor of animal nutrition, and has worked for Shanghai Zhengtai Group, Shuoteng Animal Protection, Novus and other companies. Dr. Zhang has a dual background and cross-vision in the fields of nutrition and animal protection. He understands feed ingredients and functional additives, and has unique insights into the interaction between intestinal mucosal immunity and formulated nutrition.
2. Interview Takeaways
2.1 Actual situation of the feed market
Dr. Zhang pointed out that since 2012, the escalating cost of feed has resulted in increased breeding expenses. The Sino-US trade war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have led to a reduction in China's soybean sources, while per capita meat consumption remains high, causing a decline in aquaculture and prices. Additionally, diseases like African swine fever have progressively heightened risks associated with aquaculture. Currently, the pig feed market presents both opportunities and challenges.
2.2 Market scope and potential of phytase
Regarding the market scope and potential of phytase, Dr. Zhang highlighted that there is limited public understanding of both the aquaculture industry and the feed industry as well as low awareness about phytase itself due to it being a lesser-known class of feed additives. However, phytase possesses significant economic and social value by reducing breeding costs; hence it still holds substantial prospects as a feed additive within various ingredients.
2.3 Types and mainstream status of feed additives:
Dr. Zhang also provided an overview on types and mainstream knowledge regarding feed additives which encompass vitamins, complex minerals, amino acids etcetera. Amongst these prevalent additives currently used in replacement for banned antibiotics within China is hair hormone (phytase), which offers optimal economic benefits along with societal value
Figure7a-d：We are interviewing Dr. Zhang
3. Inspiration and suggestions for future activities
From the interview, we can gather that the feed market is currently grappling with the challenges of escalating costs and mounting risks within the farming. Moreover, phytase emerges as a highly promising additive with extensive market potential. Furthermore, Dr. Zhang's design philosophy aligns seamlessly with our team's overarching objective of enhancing animal production efficiency through a harmonious blend of nutrition and immunity optimization. As we embark on our forthcoming project, it becomes imperative for our team to concentrate on stringent product cost control measures while simultaneously striving for quality enhancement in order to sustain a stable profit margin and expand our market presence. Concurrently, bolstering marketing efforts will be crucial in augmenting public awareness regarding phytase and other additives, thereby fostering robust market development.
Interview
with Dr.Li
Yong of New Hope Liuhe Group
1. Expert background and research introduction
In order to gain insights into the market competition status of the new feed additive phytase, future development prospects, product enhancement direction, and the impact of national policies on our product, we conducted an interview with Dr. Li Huawei. Dr. Li holds a degree from Sichuan Agricultural University and currently serves as a researcher at Haida Research Institute of Guangdong Haida Group. Guangdong Haida Group Co., Ltd. is a technologically advanced agricultural and animal husbandry enterprise group that encompasses the entire industrial chain of feed production, seed cultivation, biopharmaceuticals, smart farming solutions, food distribution, and financial services. Presently serving as the Special Commissioner of Rural Science and for Guangzhou City, Dr. Li is responsible for spearheading research and development efforts in pig feed formulation.
2. Interview Takeaways
2.1 Project significance of new feed additives
As the world population continues to grow, the world population's demand for food food continues to grow, certainly the demand for phytase also continues to increase, which can be seen in the future phytase market is also in the steady increase. According to him, he thinks that the future market of phytase is very stable and broad, so he is very supportive of our research on phytase. And he thinks that phytase can not only protect the soil and minerals, but also reduce the cost of feed, so the significance of phytase is very great.
Nowadays, every country in the world realizes the importance of phytase and strengthens the research on phytase, especially Japan and the United States are very mature in this area of technology, and have a large number of patents to reach the highest international level, and We must seize the opportunity to develop new feed additives belonging to our country and promote the development of domestic feed.
2.2 Product development direction
Technically improve the efficiency of its use, and reduce our production costs, and other products to open the gap. Dr. Li told us that the first R & D direction can be to improve the effect and price of our feed. The second can be the development of the specificity of our products, such as the development of phytase for high temperature resistance. If we can do with other high temperature phytase on the market is different, we will have a broad market.
2.3 Influence of national policy
Dr. Li told us that the whole direction of our research is very correct, because our phytase is designed to save energy and reduce emission and protect the environment, which is very much in line with the core of our national policy. Therefore, for the research of phytase, our team will get very favorable policy support and help.
3. Inspiration and suggestions for future activities
Through this expert interview, our team has a clearer understanding of the current market competition of new feed additives. We need to seize market and policy opportunities and develop our own unique competitive advantages in the product development process. This provides us with rich information and clear ideas for making business plans in the later stage.
Figure8：We're recording the interview
Interview with Dr. Li Huawei of Guangdong Haida Group Research Institute
1. Expert background and research introduction
In order to further optimize the content of our business plan and gain a clearer understanding of the competitive advantages of our current products, competitors, marketing strategies and room for improvement, we interviewed Dr. Yong Li. Dr. Li has obtained a Master's degree in Veterinary medicine, a Master's degree in Animal nutrition and a Doctor's degree in Animal nutrition. He is currently the R&D General manager of New Hope Liuhe Technology Department, responsible for the nutrition planning and research and development of pig premix in New Hope Liuhe Area. As the senior dietitian of the group and the head of the pig feed technical line for 12 years, he has rich practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
Figure9a&b：We are interviewing Dr. Li
2. Interview Takeaways
2.1 R&D system and process of Guangdong Haida Group
Regarding the company's R & D system and R & D process, Dr. Li introduced that the R & D system of Guangdong Haida Group Haida R&D Institute mainly includes three levels of R & D: first-level R & D, second-level R & D and third-level R & D. According to the division of departments and purposes, the first-level research and development relies on the research and development center, the second-level research and development is responsible for the experimental system of the branch company, and the third-level research and development is carried out for the entire market. The purpose and emphasis of research and development are different. The primary research and development is mainly exploratory research, focusing on the development of cutting-edge technology and nutrition standards. Secondary research and development pay more attention to basic research and expand the scope of application; The third level research and development is for the application needs to carry out a wide range of product promotion and upgrading. The R & D process is a closed-loop process, including project review, market demand research, formulation of research plan, formation of R & D team, many discussions to improve the plan, review and approval of the project, experiment, final test certificate, market promotion and adjustment according to market feedback. Through repeated experiments and market feedback, find reasons and optimize improvements to improve the stability and effect of research and development results.
2.2 Corporate environmental responsibility and technology research and development
Dr. Lee highlighted the environmental responsibility of contemporary social enterprises. He said that while companies have social responsibility and market responsibility, they also need to take environmental responsibility. At present, the state advocates reducing the use of soybean meal in serum culture in order to reduce environmental pollution. Haida Research Institute is developing low-protein feed to reduce soybean meal emissions and environmental pollution. In addition, the company is also exploring how low the crude protein content of the product should be. Phytase compound feed is also relatively environmentally friendly, can improve the utilization of minerals, thereby reducing the emission of copper, zinc and other environmental pollution.
2.3 Suggestions about our project
Dr. Li made the following suggestions for our research topic. First of all, the technical aspects of our project that need improvement include high temperature resistance and activity. Since feed production requires high temperature treatment to kill ASF viruses, enzymes that are resistant to high temperatures are preferred. If our enzymes are inactivated at high temperatures, they won't work as expected. Second, enzyme activity is also very important, especially for the ability to break down phytic acid. Although some enzymes are added in the same amount, the decomposition efficiency is not high, so it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency of enzymes through experiments. Third, for the products we develop, we also need to regulate the use of methods, including the amount of feed per ton. In order to highlight our project, we should focus on the enzyme's high temperature resistance, activity and support our analysis by comparing the data with the effects of other enzymes on the market. Finally, the acid resistance of the enzyme is also important, because if the enzyme cannot remain active in the stomach, its effectiveness will also be affected. Therefore, we can consider taking some effective means to prevent the enzyme from being degraded or the activity is affected in the stomach.
3. Inspiration and suggestions for future activities
Through this interview, we have a deeper understanding of Guangdong Haida Group's R & D system and R & D process, corporate environmental responsibility and suggestions for our project. According to these suggestions, we can further improve our projects and focus on technical improvement and environmental responsibility to enhance the stability, effectiveness and market competitiveness of the projects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our team has conducted several human practices to ensure our project is feasible and responsible. From the survey and stakeholder interviews, we have collected vital infomation and ideas for designing our project. These activities helped us gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue's impact on society and reflect the value of our project.
Our project aim to dvelop a phytase enzyme products which is able to break down phytate and catabolize bound phosphorus, making it easier for animals to absorb the feed.
All fertilizer users are our potential customers as the product will be made in the form of feed additive.
We have three major plan for implementation: ATL (above the line), BTL (below the line), and TTL (through the line), which allow our product to reach a wider range of people.