甘蔗幼苗对难溶性磷的吸收及其根系对低磷胁迫的响应

为明确甘蔗适应低磷胁迫的生理生化机制,挖掘甘蔗对磷素的利用潜力,揭示甘蔗对低磷胁迫适应的可能机制,该研究以ROC22和ROC10两个甘蔗品种为材料,采用水培和土培的方法研究了甘蔗幼苗对难溶性磷的吸收及其在低磷胁迫下根构型和根系的生理反应。结果表明:(1)培养在以难溶性磷(Ca-P和Al-P)为磷源的培养液中的甘蔗的叶片数、地上部干重、生物量较缺磷(-P)处理显著增加,与对照(+P)的相当,甘蔗总磷积累量也显著提高,达到对照(+P)处理磷积累量的30%～77%。(2)在低磷条件下,甘蔗幼苗的根系有向土壤深层分布的趋势,根的总体积增大、最长根长变长、浅根系分布增多。(3)甘蔗幼苗在低磷环境下,根际环境明显酸化,且根系分泌物能溶解难溶性的铝磷,植株体内酸性磷酸酶的活性也明显增强。以上表明甘蔗幼苗有较强的吸收利用难溶性磷的能力,而低磷条件下根系数量增加、主根的向地性、浅根系分布增多、根际酸化以及植株体内酸性磷酸酶活性的增强可能是甘蔗幼苗适应缺磷环境的重要机制。     

不同形态的磷源对球形棕囊藻生长及碱性磷酸酶的影响

研究了不同浓度和形态的无机磷(DIP)和有机磷(DOP)对球形棕囊藻细胞生长、培养基中磷浓度的变化以及碱性磷酸酶活性的变化的影响。在缺磷和大分子DOP(卵磷脂)作为磷源的情况下,碱性磷酸酶活性迅速提高,在第9天达到了最大值,其活性分别为19.11U和18.28U,显然在缺磷胁迫下和大分子DOP的利用过程中碱性磷酸酶起着重要作用。DIP(磷酸二氢钾)和小分子DOP(β-甘油磷酸钠)都容易直接被球形棕囊藻吸收利用,碱性磷酸酶活性变化不明显。     

岩黄连细胞生长与营养物质消耗的动态学研究

在岩黄连细胞悬浮培养过程中,对培养液pH值,碳源、氮源和磷酸盐含量,以及细胞生物量和生物碱含量进行测定,分析其动态变化过程。结果显示培养液pH值在培养初期降低,后逐渐升高;碳源在培养过程中逐渐被利用,磷酸盐和氮源在培养中期几乎耗尽,其中磷酸盐的消耗速率最快;悬浮细胞的生长周期为20 d左右,第18天细胞鲜重和干重达最大,而第21天脱氢卡维丁和小檗碱的含量最高,分别为8.22mg/L和4.31mg/L。结果表明营养物质(碳、氮和磷)的吸收与细胞生长以及生物碱的合成密切相关,营养元素的相对消耗速率为磷>氮>碳,推测氮和磷是影响岩黄连细胞培养的主要因素。     

盾叶薯蓣悬浮培养细胞生长及薯蓣皂苷元合成

研究了盾叶薯蓣细胞悬浮培养过程中细胞生长、薯蓣皂苷元合成、蔗糖和磷酸盐的吸收利用以及酸性磷酸酶活性与薯蓣皂苷元合成的关系。结果表明,对数生长期细胞最大比生长速率μm为0.19 d-1;倍增时间为3.68 d;薯蓣皂苷元的形成与细胞的生长相关,培养6 d时薯蓣皂苷元质量分数和产量分别为0.20%和25.93 mg/L;蔗糖利用率达到95.65%,磷酸盐吸收率达到最大,为90.36%。盾叶薯蓣细胞悬浮培养过程中酸性磷酸酶活性动态变化规律与薯蓣皂苷元的动态合成规律基本一致。此外,研究还发现在相同供磷水平下,酸性磷酸酶活性高低与薯蓣皂苷元合成能力呈正相关;而在不同供磷水平下,酸性磷酸酶活性高低与薯蓣皂苷元合成能力没有相关性。     

甘蔗器官固氮酶活性及其对接种固氮菌的响应

以巴西固氮甘蔗品种B1、B8和广西主栽甘蔗品种ROC22和ROC16为材料,通过桶栽砂培方法,研究不同品种甘蔗及接种固氮菌R16SH后不同生育期和不同器官(根、茎、叶片、叶鞘)的固氮酶活性.结果显示,4个品种甘蔗及接菌后各器官的固氮酶活性均在伸长初期或伸长盛期达到高峰,且以根和茎较高,叶、叶鞘次之;B1、B8根的接菌效果最佳,其固氮酶活性分别比对照增加13.22%和12.42%,而B1和ROC16茎的固氮酶活性分别比对照提高12.19%和12.02%,叶片提高了8%~9%,叶鞘的固氮酶活性变化最小;4个品种甘蔗固氮酶活性表现为B8>B1>ROC22>ROC16,且品种B8与ROC22和ROC16存在显著或极显著差异;相对于品种ROC22和ROC16,固氮菌R16SH对B1与B8的株高以及B1的茎径有更好的生长诱导效应,且在伸长期表现最明显.研究表明,甘蔗的固氮酶活性在品种、器官及生育期间均存在明显差异,接种固氮菌能不同程度提高各品种器官的固氮酶活性,且各品种根、茎以及B1和B8的叶片固氮酶活性显著或极显著差异增加;巴西固氮甘蔗品种表现出比广西主栽甘蔗品种更强的固氮酶活性,且对接种固氮菌反应更敏感.     

部分根系供磷对黄瓜根系和幼苗生长及根系酸性磷酸酶活性影响

通过分根处理研究了部分根系供磷对黄瓜幼苗生长、植株体内的含磷量及根系酸性磷酸酶活性的影响。结果表明 ,2 0 %根系缺磷 (1条根缺磷 ,4条根供磷 )可以促进根系及植株地上部的生长 ,其根系及地上部的生物量分别是正常生长植株的 1.39倍和 1.2 1倍。2 0 %根系缺磷 ,还可以促进其它供磷根系对磷的吸收。分根处理后 ,2 0 %根系缺磷不影响植物对磷营养的需要 ,但却表现出了R/S比增大的典型缺磷反应 ,说明植物感应缺磷根系起着比地上部更为重要的作用。分根处理后不供磷根系的酸性磷酸酶活性显著高于供磷根系的酸性磷酸酶活性 ,并且根系的酸性磷酸酶活性只与根系的含磷量显著相关 ,与地上部的磷营养状况关系不明显。这说明 ,缺磷条件下 ,黄瓜植株根系分泌酸性磷酸酶活性的增高 ,是黄瓜根系对低磷胁迫的适应性机理 ,而不是地上部改善体内磷营养的调控机理。     

碳源对迷迭香悬浮培养细胞的生长、迷迭香酸积累及抗氧化酶活性的影响

以迷迭香悬浮培养细胞为材料,详细研究了基本培养基中添加蔗糖、麦芽糖和葡萄糖对细胞生长及次生代谢产物积累的影响,同时对不同蔗糖浓度处理的悬浮培养细胞抗氧化酶活性进行了研究。研究结果表明：在不同的糖处理中,30 g·L^-1的蔗糖、70 g·L^-1的麦芽糖及40 g·L^-1的葡萄糖最有利于迷迭香悬浮培养细胞生长。30 g·L^-1蔗糖和70 g·L^-1麦芽糖处理中悬浮培养细胞的生长率分别为74.08%和72.33%,高出40 g·L^-1葡萄糖处理接近3倍之多。30 g·L^-1蔗糖处理的悬浮培养细胞迷迭香酸含量高出70 g·L^-1麦芽糖处理228倍,略低于40 g·L^-1葡萄糖处理。在不同蔗糖的处理中,随着蔗糖浓度的增加,迷迭香酸含量均呈现增加趋势,表明高浓度的蔗糖有利于悬浮培养细胞迷迭香酸的积累。在高浓度的蔗糖处理中,悬浮培养细胞H₂O₂和MDA含量明显增加,同时抗氧化酶SOD、POD及CAT的活性也明显增强,表明高浓度的蔗糖产生了渗透胁迫,这种渗透胁迫虽不利于迷迭香悬浮培养细胞的生长,但有利于次生代谢产物的积累。综合迷迭香悬浮细胞的生长率和迷迭香酸的含量,我们最终得出30 g·L^-1的蔗糖最有利于迷迭香悬浮细胞的培养。     

培养基磷缺乏对黄瓜毛状根生长、抗氧化酶活性及氮源利用的影响

采用液体培养的方法研究了培养基磷缺乏对黄瓜毛状根生长及其抗氧化酶活性及培养基中氮源和钙利用的影响.结果表明,黄瓜毛状根在完全缺磷的培养基中几乎不能生长;而培养基无机磷缺乏会抑制黄瓜毛状根的生长,且浓度越低,其抑制作用越明显,毛状根变得越纤细而长,侧根数减少且短小.与全磷培养相比,磷缺乏培养基培养的黄瓜毛状根可溶性蛋白含量明显偏低,但其SOD和POD活性则明显升高.与完全缺磷(对照)相比,在培养过程中不同无机磷浓度培养的黄瓜毛状根的SOD和POD活性均比对照低.当黄瓜毛状根在不同磷缺乏浓度的液体培养基中培养时,随着培养时间的延长,培养基的电导率逐步下降,并与培养基起始无机磷浓度成正比;其培养基的铵态氮和硝态氮不断被吸收和利用,培养至15d时,培养基中的铵态氮已绝大部分被消耗完毕,但直至培养30d时培养基的硝态氮仍未被消耗完毕.培养基中无机磷缺乏会降低黄瓜毛状根对培养基硝态氮的吸收和消耗以及抑制黄瓜毛状根对钙的吸收.而适当提高培养基的无机磷浓度可促进黄瓜毛状根对培养基中钙的吸收和消耗.     

缺磷对烟草悬浮细胞交替呼吸途径的影响及其与活性氧积累的关系

用两个耐低磷能力差异显著的烟草悬浮细胞系,研究了缺磷胁迫对交替呼吸途径的影响及其与活性氧积累的关系.牛津细胞耐缺磷胁迫能力明显高于K326.缺磷降低了K326交替途径的容量及实际运行量,但对牛津的影响不大.无论在缺磷还是正常磷水平下,牛津细胞交替途径容量和实际运行量都比K326高.用分离的线粒体进一步证实了上述结果.缺磷胁迫可以提高AOX的蛋白表达量,但品种间差异不明显.缺磷胁迫下K326细胞中的超氧阴离子积累量远高于牛津细胞.由此认为交替途径可能在细胞耐低磷中起作用.     

人线粒体DNA缺失肝癌细胞株建立

人线粒体DNA缺失肝癌细胞株(ρ0SK-Hep1)的建立及鉴定。采用溴化乙锭(EB)诱导,PCR、Southern杂交及选择性培养方法进行鉴定。ρ0SK-Hep1细胞在含EB、无尿嘧啶和丙酮酸的选择培养基中从第1天始细胞逐渐悬浮、肿胀,培养第5天以后大量悬浮死亡,且贴壁疏松,10～12天细胞完全悬浮死亡。在选择性培养基中可以正常生长增殖成单层,有少量悬浮。同期非选择培养的SK-Hep1细胞生长正常。PCR结果显示,细胞色素氧化酶I、II(COXI、COXII)及内参G3PDH在SK-Hep1细胞中均可扩增出相应的条带,ρ0SK-Hep1细胞只见内参条带的形成。Southern杂交结果显示,ρ0SK-Hep1细胞未见COXI、COXII杂交条带形成。经EB诱导后成功地获得了ρ0SK-Hep1细胞株。     

Assimilation of Phytate-phosphorus by the Extracellular Phytase Activity of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is Affected by the Availability of Soluble Phytate

Phytate, the major organic phosphorus in soil, is not readily available to plants as a source of phosphorus (P). It is either complexed with cations or adsorbed to various soil components. The present study was carried out to investigate the extracellular phytase activities of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum variety GeXin No.1) and its ability to assimilate external phytate-P. Whereas phytase activities in roots, shoots and growth media of P_i-fed 14-day-old seedlings were only 1.3–4.9% of total acid phosphatase (APase) activities, P starvation triggered an increase in phytase secretion up to 914.9 mU mg⁻¹ protein, equivalent to 18.2% of total APase activities. Much of the extracellular phytase activities were found to be root-associated than root-released. The plants were not able to utilize phytate adsorbed to sand, except when insoluble phytate salts were preformed with Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions for supplementation. Tobacco grew better in sand supplemented with Mg-phytate salts (31.9 mg dry weight plant⁻¹; 0.68% w/w P concentration) than that with Ca-phytate salts (9.5 mg plant⁻¹; 0.42%), presumably due to its higher solubility. We conclude that insolubility of soil phytate is the major constrain for its assimilation. Improving solubility of soil phytate, for example, by enhancement of citrate secretion, may be a feasible approach to improve soil phytate assimilation.     

磷胁迫诱导大豆叶片酸性磷酸酶同工酶的表达

通过田间试验对两种磷处理的274个大豆基因型叶片酸性磷酸酶活性进行筛选,并将其中8个进行营养液栽培试验以研究磷胁迫对其叶片酸性磷酸酶同工酶表达的影响.结果表明,大豆叶片酸性磷酸酶活性存在着明显的基因型差异,不施磷处理提高了大部分(约60%)供试基因型叶片酸性磷酸酶的活性.营养液栽培试验表明,低磷处理普遍提高了所有8个供试大豆基因型叶片酸性磷酸酶的活性.等电聚焦电泳结果表明,供试大豆基因型的老叶和新叶中均有6条酸性磷酸酶的同工酶带.低磷处理显著增加了叶片酸性磷酸酶酶带的活性,但是没有诱导新的酸性磷酸酶酶带产生.研究发现叶片酸性磷酸酶活性可作为反映大豆磷胁迫的酶学指标;磷胁迫诱导大豆叶片酸性磷酸酶活性的增加是由于已有同工酶活性的提高而不是由于特异性酶带的产生.     

Effect of P sources on growth, P accumulation and activities of phytase and acid phosphatases in two cultivars of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.).

Recurrent application of animal manure to the soil often results in accumulation of phosphorus (P) in the soil over time. Use of temperate forages like Lolium multiflorum capable of extracting excess P from manure impacted soil is an attractive strategy for P phytoremediation. Two genotypes of L. multiflorum, 'Gulf and Marshall' were grown in soil and hydroponic media containing various concentrations of poultry manure and their P accumulation potential was determined. A decline in the biomass with an increase in manure concentration beyond 10 g kg(-1) soil in Gulf and 25 g kg(-1) soil in Marshall was noticed. Gulf grass accumulated more P content (7 g kg(-1) dry weight) as compared to Marshall (6 g kg(-1) dry weight) in both roots and shoots. Maximum shoot P content was observed in the soil amended with 10 g poultry manure, while root P was highest at the concentration of 50 g poultry manure kg(-1) in the soil. Both cultivars yielded the highest biomass when grown in the presence of 10 g poultry manure in modified Hoagland's media. Presence of chelators in the media did not produce any noticeable effect on P accumulation in either grass and the biomass was appreciably enhanced by all concentrations of the chelators. Gulf and Marshall ryegrass seedlings were grown hydroponically in various poultry manure fractions. Both phytase and acid phosphatase (APase) enzyme activities in the root increased substantially in response to P-sufficient condition. In the presence of various poultry manure fractions, an intermediate level of both enzymes was measured compared to the P-sufficient condition, while the lowest enzyme activity was observed in the absence of any P source in the media. The level of APase and phytase activities was more or less the same in the two grasses under various growth conditions. An additional APase isoform was induced specifically in response to P-starvation from the two grass cultivars. Phytase and APase assays carried out in the P-starved and P-replenished grass seedlings further confirmed that during P deficiency, the enzyme activity was lowest and results of PAGE indicated that an APase isoform was induced under P-starvation.     

Induction of maize acid phosphatase activities under phosphorus starvation

Large variation in phosphorus-(P) acquisition efficiency exists among maize inbred and hybrid genotypes. Acid phosphatases are a type of enzyme that affects P acquisition and P-use efficiency in plants. The objectives of this research were (1) to characterize acid phosphatase activity in maize grown hydroponically under P starvation, and (2) to determine if there is differential induction of acid phosphatases in two maize genotypes previously characterized as P efficient (Mo17) and P inefficient (B73). B73 and Mo17 seedlings were grown hydroponically and both intracellular and secreted acid phosphatase activities were characterized. Fresh seedling weight of both genotypes decreased under P starvation, but percent fresh weight allocated to roots increased 14 days after P starvation in B73. Soluble protein concentration in shoots and roots was affected little, but secreted protein decreased by 40 and 20% in B73 and Mo17 seedlings grown without P for 14 days. Intracellular and secreted acid phosphate activity increased substantially in leaves and roots in B73 and Mo17 in response to P starvation. Secreted APase activity per unit protein increased 310 and 300% in B73 and Mo17, respectively, 7 days after P withdrawal. One of the minor isozymes identified on non-denaturing PAGE, was increased specifically in response to P starvation in both maize genotypes. The patterns and levels of change in APase activities in B73 and Mo17 were not sufficiently different to account for the diverse growth response of these genotypes in low-P conditions. The results suggest that APases may not be a major mechanism for scavenging or acquiring P and changes in APases may reflect a state of P stress in both varieties. Other factors such as root architecture, secretion of low-molecular weight carboxylates and microbial interactions might explain the difference between these two genotypes.     

磷胁迫诱导大豆叶片酸性磷酸酶同工酶的表达

通过田间试验对两种磷处理的274个大豆基因型叶片酸性磷酸酶活性进行筛选,行将其中8个进行营养液栽培试验以研究磷胁迫对其叶片酸性磷酸酶同工酶表达的影响。结果表明,大豆叶片酸性磷酸酶活性存在着明显的基因型差异,不施磷处理提高了大部分(约60％)供试基因型叶片酸性磷酸酶的活性。营养液栽培试验表明,低磷处理普遍提高了所有8个供试大豆基因型叶片酸性磷酸酶的活性。等电聚焦电泳结果表明,供试大豆基因型的老叶和新叶中均有6条酸性磷酸酶的同工酶带。低磷处理显著增加了叶片酸性磷酸酶酶带的活性,但是没有诱导新的酸性磷酸酶酶带产生。研究发现叶片酸性磷酸酶活性可作为反映大豆磷肋迫的酶学指标;磷胁迫诱导大豆叶片酸性磷酸酶活性的增加是由于已有同工酶活性的提高而不是由于特异性酶带的产生。     

Differences of Cu uptake and acid phosphatase activities of two Elsholtzia haichowensis Sun populations

Two Elsholtzia haichowensis Sun populations, one from Cu mine sites (Tonglushan) and the other from uncontaminated sites (Hong'an) in Hubei Province, China, were investigated in hydroponic experiments for the differences of Cu accumulation and ecophysiological responses to Cu under Cu treatment. The results showed that a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in roots was observed in Hong'an population, whereas no significant change was observed in Tonglushan population. The root pressure exudates (ml) decreased significantly in Hong'an population, but increased significantly in Tonglushan population at high Cu concentration (≥ 20 μ mol/L) treatment. Cu concentration in roots of Hong'an population was significantly higher than that in Tonglushan population. For example, Cu concentration in Hong'an population was 3 times and 4 times higher than that in Tonglushan population after 20 μ mol/L Cu treatment for one day and three days, respectively. Cu concentration in Hong'an population was 20 times and 5 times higher than that in Tonglushan population after 80 μ mol/L Cu treatment for one day and three days, respectively. The intracellular and secreted acid phosphatase (APase) activities in roots were significantly higher in Tonglushan population than in Hong'an one. The intracellular APase activities in Tonglushan population were 3 times higher than those in Hong'an population after 80 μ mol/L Cu treatment for three days and five days, respectively. The root-secreted APase activities in Tonglushan population were 1.6 times and 1.8 times higher than those in Hong'an population after 80 μ mol/L Cu treatment for three days and five days, respectively. In conclusion, excessive Cu caused serious oxidative damage in roots of Hong'an population, but not in Tonglushan population. The high intracellular and root-excreted APase activities in Tonglushan population might play an important role in reducing Cu accumulation in roots and maintaining normal phosphorus physiological metabolism in root cells under Cu stress.     

Effects of phytase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 inclusions on the performance, mineral balance and bone parameters of grower-finisher pigs fed low-phosphorus diets

Two experiments, a performance experiment and a mineral balance study, were conducted on grower-finisher pigs (42 to 101 kg live weight) to investigate the effects of Peniophora lycii phytase enzyme and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient retention and excretion, and bone and blood parameters. The two experiments were designed as a 2 × 2 factorial (two levels of phytase and two levels of 25-OHD3). The four diets were T1, low-phosphorous diet; T2, T1 + phytase; T3, T1 + 25-OHD3 and T4, T1 + phytase + 25-OHD3 diet. In all, 25 μg of 25-OHD3 was used to replace 1000 IU of vitamin D3 in diets T3 and T4. Diets were pelleted (70°C) and formulated to contain similar concentrations of energy (13.8 MJ DE/kg), lysine (9.5 g/kg) and digestible phosphorus (P; 1.8 g/kg). Neither the inclusion of phytase nor 25-OHD3 in the diet had any effect on pig performance. There was an interaction between phytase and 25-OHD3 on calcium (Ca) and P retention (P < 0.01) and on the apparent digestibility of ash (P < 0.01), P (P < 0.001) and Ca (P < 0.001). Pigs offered phytase diets only, had a higher retention of Ca and P and digestibility of ash (P < 0.01), P (P < 0.001) and Ca (P < 0.01) compared with pigs offered unsupplemented diets. However, when the combination of phytase and 25-OHD3 were offered, no effects were detected compared with 25-OHD3 diets only. Pigs fed phytase diets had higher bone ash (P < 0.01), bone P (P < 0.01) and bone Ca (P < 0.05) concentrations compared with pigs offered non-phytase diets. In conclusion, pigs offered phytase diets had a significantly increased bone ash, Ca and P than pigs offered unsupplemented phytase diets. However, there was no advantage to offering a combination of phytase and 25-OHD3 on either bone strength or mineral status compared to offering these feed additives separately.     

Effect of particle size and microbial phytase on phytate degradation in incubated maize and soybean meal

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of screen size (1, 2 and 3 mm) and microbial phytase (0 and 1000 FTU/kg as-fed) on phytate degradation in maize (100% maize), soybean meal (100% SBM) and maize–SBM (75% maize and 25% SBM) incubated in water for 0, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h at 38°C. Samples were analysed for pH, dry matter and phytate phosphorus (P). Particle size distribution (PSD) and average particle size (APS) of samples were measured by the Laser Diffraction and Bygholm method. PSD differed between the two methods, whereas APS was similar. Decreasing screen size from 3 to 1 mm reduced APS by 48% in maize, 30% in SBM and 26% in maize–SBM. No interaction between screen size and microbial phytase on phytate degradation was observed, but the interaction between microbial phytase and incubation time was significant (P<0.001). This was because microbial phytase reduced phytate P by 88% in maize, 84% in maize–SBM and 75% in SBM after 2 h of incubation (P<0.05), whereas the reduction of phytate P was limited (<50%) in the feeds, even after 24 h when no microbial phytase was added. The exponential decay model was fitted to the feeds with microbial phytase to analyse the effect of screen size and feed on microbial phytase efficacy on phytate degradation. The interaction between screen size and feed affected the relative phytate degradation rate (R_d) of microbial phytase as well as the time to decrease 50% of the phytate P (t1/2) (P<0.001). Thus, changing from 3 to 1 mm screen size increased R_d by 22 and 10%/h and shortened t1/2 by 0.4 and 0.2 h in maize and maize–SBM, respectively (P<0.05), but not in SBM. Moreover, the screen size effect was more pronounced in maize and maize–SBM compared with SBM as a higher phytate degradation rate constant (K_d) and R_d, and a shorter t1/2 was observed in maize compared with SBM in all screen sizes (P<0.05). However, a higher amount of degraded phytate was achieved in SBM than in maize because of the higher initial phytate P content in SBM. In conclusion, reducing screen size from 3 to 1 mm increased K_d and R_d and decreased t1/2 in maize and maize–SBM with microbial phytase. The positive effect of grinding on improving microbial phytase efficacy, which was expressed as K_d, R_d and t1/2, was greater in maize than in SBM.     

The effect of citric acid and microbial phytase on mineral utilization in broiler chicks

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of microbial phytase (Natuphos^® 500) supplementation in chicks fed different levels of available phosphorus (AP) and citric acid (CA) on performance, mineral retention (Ca, P, Mg, and Zn), bone and plasma minerals (Ca, P, Mg, and Zn), plasma total protein (TP), and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. Data were analyzed as a 2×4×2 factorial arrangement with two levels of AP (3.5 and 2.5 g/kg), four levels of phytase (0, 200, 400 and 600 U/kg), and two levels of citric acid (0 and 20 g/kg). The low-AP diets reduced performance. Phytase supplementation increased weight gain (up to 7% quadratically) and feed consumption (up to 5%). This response was statistically maximized by 200 U/kg phytase. Feed to gain ratio was not affected by phytase addition. Growth response to phytase was negatively affected by citric acid. Decreasing AP content in the diet increased Ca, P, and Mg retention, and reduced Zn retention. Phytase supplementation linearly increased Ca, P, and Zn retention by 9, 10 and 16%, respectively. Citric acid addition also increased Ca, P, and Zn retention by 3, 3 and 4%, respectively. Likewise, the decrease in AP content in the diet caused a reduction of tibia ash and tibia Zn, and an increase in tibia Ca and P contents. Phytase supplementation increased tibia ash (up to 4%), tibia Ca (up to 2%), P (up to 1%) and Zn (up to 4%) contents, tibia weight (up to 9%), and relative tibia (up to 19%) and liver (up to 13%) weights. Citric acid increased tibia ash (2%), and tibia Ca (2%) and P (2%) contents. Finally, by decreasing AP levels in the diet, plasma Ca and Zn concentrations as well as AST, ALP, and LDH activities were increased. However, plasma P and TP content were reduced. Phytase supplementation increased linearly plasma Ca (up to 4%), P (up to 12%), Mg (up to 10%), Zn (up to 22%) and TP (up to 7%) content, and serum AST (up to 22%), ALT (up to 40%), and LDH (up to 17%) activities, and reduced linearly serum ALP (up to 34%) activity. Citric acid addition increased plasma Ca, Mg, and Zn content by 10, 4, and 5%, respectively, and reduced ALP activity by 13%. In conclusion, these results indicated that the addition of phytase to maize and soyabean meal low-AP diets improved the performance and increased Ca, P, and Zn utilization in chicks. However, the inclusion of citric acid depressed the performance and caused an increase in mineral utilization. Growth response to phytase was negatively affected by citric acid.