Diversity and distribution of bacterial phytases
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Phytases: The stepwise dephosphorylation of phytate is catalyzed by phytases, a group of enzymes found mainly among bacteria and plants. Bacterial potential: We identified an unexpectedly widespread and previously underappreciated bacterial potential for phytate dephosphorylation, suggesting that microbial phytases play crucial roles in the environmental and host-associated phosphorus flux. Diversity: We analyzed 115,379 validated bacterial genomes to resolve the taxonomic distribution and diversity of potentially phytase-producing bacterial species, and identified phytase genes in 6281 out of 25,105 species (25%). Prevalence: Phytases were predominantly found in members of the phyla Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Cyanobacteriota, but were comparatively rare in Bacillota and Actinomycetota, with alkaline β-propeller phytases as the most prevalent and widespread category.
Source: iMetaOmics.
DOI: 10.1002/imo2.70104
Authors: Michael Weber, Lena‐Sophie Paul, Thilo M. Fuchs
Institution: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Language: English
Topic: Phytase and its Applications
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7162114892