Patent 7863031 was granted and assigned to Verenium Corporation on January, 2011 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The invention provides a purified, isolated, synthetic or recombinant phytase enzyme (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2) initially derived from Escherichia coli B. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 47.1 kilodaltons and has phytase activity (SEQ ID NO:2). The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytase of the present invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients.