High Trace Minerals Research Articles

Effects of feeding sulfate trace minerals above recommendations on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, lactational performance, and trace mineral excretion in dairy cows

Most trace minerals (TM) are fed above dairy cow requirements in commercial herds but their fate and effects on dairy cows have not been well documented. In this study, we evaluated the effects of feeding short-term sulfate TM above recommendations on apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients, rumen fermentation characteristics, serum concentrations, milk yield and composition as well as milk, fecal, and urinary TM excretion in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows [average body weight: 684 (SD: 29) kg at 82 (SD: 10) days in milk] in a quadruple 2 × 2 crossover design were fed a basal diet, differing in sulfate TM supplement concentrations, to provide either 0.11, 17, and 63 (control; CON) or 0.95, 114, and 123 (high trace minerals; HTM) mg of dietary Co, Mn, and Zn/kg of dry matter, respectively. Each experimental period had a 21-d adaptation to the diet, followed by a 10-d sample collection period. Feed ingredients and total feces and urine were collected during 4 consecutive d and rumen fluid was collected 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h relative to feeding. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk samples were collected on 4 consecutive milkings. Ingestion of Co, Mn, and Zn was higher for HTM compared with CON group by 216, 233, and 93%, respectively. Dry matter intake averaged 25.0 (SE = 0.6) kg/d, and apparent total-tract digestibility of major nutrients was similar between treatments. There was no measurable effect of HTM on ruminal pH, major volatile fatty acids, and protozoa counts. Isovalerate molar proportion was 9.4% greater for HTM compared with CON group. Neither milk yield (43.5 kg/d; SE = 0.8) nor milk fat and protein concentrations differed between treatments. Milk urea nitrogen concentration was significantly higher for HTM (11.7 mg/dL) compared with CON group (9.7 mg/dL; SE = 0.7). Fecal excretion of Co, Mn, and Zn increased by 223, 198, and 75%, respectively, for HTM compared with CON group. Urinary excretions of TM were marginal compared with feces, and only urinary Co and Mn were significantly higher for HTM than CON cows as similarly obtained for serum Co and Mn concentrations. Milk TM yields were not modified by treatments. In summary, short-term dietary sulfate TM supply over the recommendation did not improve cow performance but significantly increased fecal TM excretion, which could have impacts on TM accumulation in soils where manure is applied and could potentially result in leaching into nearby watersheds. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of high fecal TM excretion on the environment using the One Health approach. Moreover, the impacts of TM oversupply on milk production and cow health should be evaluated by long-term experiments.

Mini-Review: The importance of an integrated approach to assess trace mineral feeding practices in dairy cows

This mini-review was undertaken to demonstrate the impact of trace mineral feeding management of dairy cows on the ecosystem by discussing their role in the animal metabolism, dietary recommendations, current feeding practices, and their excretion in manure pertaining to five trace minerals, i.e., cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. The first part of this mini-review relates the importance of trace minerals in dairy cow metabolism, and how recommendations are obtained. The following section showed that the transition period from the dry to the lactating phase is challenging for dairy cattle, and current trace mineral recommendations have been questioned for this period due to the role of some trace minerals in immunity and oxidative metabolism. Furthermore, trace mineral overfeeding is a common practice in intensive dairy production system in Canada, the USA, and the UK, which is far from precision nutrition. Trace minerals in excess of requirements are directly excreted into the manure. The practice of trace mineral overfeeding could have detrimental effects on the ecosystem when manure with high trace mineral concentrations is repeatedly spread on fields. In conclusion, an integrative approach assessing the impact of trace mineral overfeeding in cow diets on the ecosystem is needed.

Evaluation of iron, copper and zinc concentrations in commercial foods formulated for healthy cats.

The aim of this study was to analyze iron, copper and zinc concentrations in commercial foods and compare among food formats (dry, canned, raw), foods marketed by age category (adult 1+ years and senior 7+ years) and foods intended for adult maintenance vs all life stages. In total, 112 commercial non-therapeutic food products marketed for healthy adult and senior cats were purchased in the USA. Foods were analyzed for their proximate composition. Trace mineral concentrations were measured using inductively coupled argon plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and described on a calculated metabolizable energy basis using standard modified Atwater values. Measured iron (median 58.4 mg/1000 kcal [range 15.7-379.0]), copper (median 5.6 mg/1000 kcal [range 0.8-13.3]) and zinc (median 47.6 mg/1000 kcal [range 7.6-128.1]) concentrations were highly variable among cat foods. When all food products - regardless of their nutritional adequacy substantiation method - were compared with the Association of American Feed Control Officials regulatory minimums, 13/112 food products had a mineral deficiency, of which a majority (n = 11/13) were raw food products. Raw foods had significantly lower trace mineral concentrations compared with dry food products and, except for copper, canned food products. Cat foods marketed for senior cats had higher iron (P = 0.019) and zinc (P <0.0001) concentrations than foods marketed for adult cats. Foods intended for adult maintenance had higher iron (P = 0.003) and zinc concentrations than foods intended for all life stages (P <0.0001). Iron, copper and zinc concentrations in commercial non-therapeutic foods for adult and senior cats are highly variable. A minority of foods - mainly raw food products - were deficient in these minerals. It is unknown if some foods with high trace mineral concentrations could have adverse effects as studies are needed to establish safe upper limits for dietary intake of trace minerals in healthy cats.

A full factorial design to investigate interactions of variable essential amino acids, trace minerals and vitamins on Atlantic salmon smoltification and post transfer performance

To contribute in knowledge for the development of safe, efficient and sustainable functional salmon diets, we ran a feeding trial applying a 23 full factorial design to investigate combined effects, on Atlantic salmon smoltification and post transfer performance, of variable supplementation levels of essential amino acid (Lys, Met, Thr and Arg), essential trace mineral (Zn, Fe and Se) and vitamins (E, C and astaxanthin as provitamin A) premixes in low fishmeal diets, using crystalline amino acids, organic trace minerals and synthetic vitamins, respectively. The nutrient levels used in our study were chosen to meet the known requirements of fish reflecting the variation in commercial feeds. Fish performance, nutrient digestibility, skin, and intestinal health were evaluated in Atlantic salmon parr-smolt, the latter by means of qPCR, global transcriptomics, and immunohistochemistry. The results revealed the potential for significant improvement of salmon post smoltification growth by simultaneous dietary level increase of Met, Lys, Thr and Arg (5% higher body weight increase). Significantly negative effect on fish post transfer growth and survival (22.5 % lower body weight growth and 2.6 times higher mortality) was observed in the high dietary vitamin supplementation treatments which was not present in the simultaneous high trace mineral and vitamin supplementation treatments (8% higher body weight increase and 2.8 times lower mortality in the high trace mineral supplementation treatments). In the high trace mineral supplemented dietary treatments was also observed improved FCR (8.5 %) and a further improvement in performance was seen in the treatments with simultaneous high essential amino acid and trace mineral supplementation levels (12.6 % higher body growth increase). Redox-sensitive gene and extracellular matrix components’ gene transcription effects and compensatory mechanisms on protein and energy metabolism, immune modulation, skin repair systems and erythropoiesis were observed by transcriptomic and histological analyses in response to the variable dietary essential nutrient levels.

Content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is highly regarded throughout the world for both its medicinal and culinary properties. With its bioactive compounds and sulphur containing compounds, high trace mineral content, garlic has shown anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant abilities.This work has focused on the measurement and comparison of the total polyphenols content, the total sulphur content and antioxidant activity of the studied varieties of garlic in the area of Nitra and Bardejov, Slovak Republic. The highest content of monitored indicators (TPC, TSC, AOA) was measured in the area of Nitra. TPC was determined using the spectrophotometric method of Folin-Ciocalteu agents. The total polyphenols content were determined in the range 621.13 to 763.28 mg kg-1 in area of Nitra. The content of total sulphur compounds in the area of Nitra ranges from 0.562 to 0.800 % and in the second area ranges from 0.421 % to 0.658 %. Antioxidant activity was measured by the spectrophotometric method using a compound DPPH. The value of antioxidant activity ranged from 12.01 % to 20.22 % in both monitored locations. The content of TPC, TSC and AOA beside the variety may be affected by the localitylinked factors like climatic conditions and the agrochemical composition of the soil.

Grape Pomace Flour (Vitis spp.) from Shiraz in South of Iran by High Trace Mineral Elements as Food Supplements

Grape Pomace Flour (Vitis spp.) from Shiraz in South of Iran by High Trace Mineral Elements as Food Supplements

Impact of Trace Minerals on Wound Healing of Footpad Dermatitis in Broilers

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is used in the poultry industry as an animal welfare criterion to determine stocking density. Trace minerals (TM) play a role in skin integrity and wound healing. This study evaluated the impact of TM on FPD and consisted of 3 treatments supplemented with 0 (NTM), low (LTM) and high (HTM) TM levels in the same basal diet. On d21, 71% birds in all treatments developed mild FPD and pens were top-dressed with dry litter to promote FPD healing. Compared to NTM, LTM reduced area under the curve (AUC) of FPD lesion scores during d21–42, HTM reduced the AUC of FPD lesion scores during d7–21 and d21–42. LTM improved growth performance on d14, HTM improved growth performance on d14 and d28. LTM and/or HTM increased gene expression of VEGF, TIMP3, TIMP4, MMP13, ITGA2, ITGA3 and CD40, which promoted collagen synthesis, deposition and organization; cell migration, matrix remodeling, and angiogenesis. LTM and/or HTM increased inflammation by upregulating TNFα and IL-1β during the early wound healing phase and reduced inflammation by downregulating IL-1β during the late wound healing phase. Our findings showed that TM not only improved growth performance but also reduced FPD development by promoting FPD wound healing.

Chemical composition of the leaves of tea bush (Ocimum gratissium L.)

Tea bush leaves are important in the preparation of soups. Crude fat was 5.20g/100g. High value results (g/100g): protein (28.9), carbohydrate (36.2), ash (9.40), fibre (14.1); fatty acid (4.16g/100g) with energy value (154kJ/100g). High major minerals were: Ca, Mg, K and P, high trace minerals were: Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn. Mineral ratios within nutritional standards: Na/K, Ca/P and [K/(Ca + Mg)]. In amino acid composition, highest concentrated amino acid was Glu (11.0g/100g), second was Leu (7.65g/100g), total amino acid (87.2g/100g). Essential amino acid (with His) was 42.5g/100g (48.7%). Quality parameters obtained in the results: Leu/Ile (1.59), % Cys/TSAA (42.3), P-PER (2.49) and EAAI (1.18). On quality criteria, Lys was limiting in the three criteria used. Fatty acid had values of SFA (30.9%), MUFA (5.60%), PUFA (63.5%), PUFA/SFA (2.06), n-6/n-3 (1.52), EPA/DHA (1.39). Total phospholipids (44.1mg/100g) with phosphatidylcholine (15.9), phosphatidylinostitol (14.9) predominating. Cholesterol was 0.00mg/100g, sitosterol was 26.3mg/100g (61.5%).Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(2), 93-108, 2015

A review on different therapeutic uses and antimicrobial potential of Garlic

The objective of this review is to brie fly examine the therapeutic uses of garlic( Allium sativum), a member of family Liliaceae in prevention and treatmentof diseases, as it is considered to be a herbal "wonder drug". Garlic isone of the earliest found Herbs known for their culinary and medicinal valuestherefore, employed in entire world as food spice as well as therapeuticagent for the treatment of diseases and maintenance of human health. Today,it stands as the second most utilized food supplement. Diseases thatmay be treated or prevented by garlic’s medicinal activity include cancer,diabetes, drug toxicity, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases (includingstrokes, hypertension, and thrombosis). Garlic’s current principal medicinaluses are to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressureby 5 â€Â7% and cholesterol concentration approximately by 10%. It alsoinhibits the platelet aggregation and enhances fibrinolytic activity, reducingclotting on damaged endothelium. Due to its sulfur containing compounds,high trace mineral content, and enzymes, the garlic has shown the antimicrobial,(anti â€Âviral, antiâ€Âbacterial, antiâ€Âfungal) and antioxidant abilities. Though,it is safe as food supplement but in some sensitive persons, it can cause gastrointestinalirritation, and of course, halitosis.

Potential Health Benefits of Garlic (Allium Sativum): A Narrative Review

A member of the Liliaceae family, garlic (Allium sativum) is highly regarded throughout the world for both its medicinal and culinary value. Early men of medicine such as Hippocrates, Pliny and Aristotle encouraged a number of therapeutic uses for this botanical. Today, it is commonly used in many cultures as a seasoning or spice. Garlic also stands as the second most utilized supplement. With its sulfur containing compounds, high trace mineral content, and enzymes, garlic has shown anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant abilities. Diseases that may be helped or prevented by garlic's medicinal actions include Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis, strokes, hypertension, thrombosis and hyperlipidemias) children's conditions, dermatologic applications, stress, and infections. Some research points to possible benefits in diabetes, drug toxicity, and osteoporosis.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Micronutrients Project: Justification and Objectives

The general objective of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Micronutrients Project is to assemble the package of tools that plant breeders will need to produce mineral- and vitamin-dense cultivars. The target crops are rice, wheat, maize, phaseolus beans, and cassava. The target micronutrients are iron, zinc, and vitamin A. The combining of benefits for human nutrition and agricultural productivity, resulting from breeding staple food crops that are more efficient in the uptake of trace minerals from the soil and that load more trace minerals into their seeds, results in extremely high ex ante estimates of benefit–cost ratios for investments in agricultural research in this area. This finding derives from the confluence of several complementary factors. The rates of micronutrient malnutrition are high, as are the consequent costs to human welfare and economic productivity. High trace mineral density in seeds produces more viable and vigorous seedlings, and efficiency in the uptake of trace minerals improves disease resistance. Trace-mineral-“deficient” soils in fact contain high amounts of trace minerals that are “unavailable” to staple crop varieties presently grown. Adoption of nutritionally improved varieties by farmers can rely on profit incentives; delivery to consumers can rely on existing demand behaviour. Relatively small investments in agricultural research at a central research location may be disseminated widely. Breeding advances are derived from initial, fixed costs, with low recurring costs. The encouraging research results obtained to date under the project would seem to justify a much expanded effort in the future.

Mineral composition of pigeon milk

Mineral analysis of pigeon milk indicates its major elements to be P>Ca>K>Na>Mg (in that order) and trace elements Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu. Whereas the levels of Ca, K, Mg, Na and Mn remain fairly constant in the first week, those of P, Fe, Zn and Cu fall significantly during this period. Compared to cow's and human milk, pigeon milk has definitely higher levels of trace elements. Similarly, the trace mineral content of pigeon milk exceeds that of pigeon egg albumen or yolk. Except for Fe, Mn and Cu, pigeon milk is richer than adult pigeon feed in its mineral content. The Ca:P ratio of pigeon milk increases from 0.3 to 1.1 in the first five days. It appears that the high trace mineral content of pigeon milk is one of the factors contributing to the phenomenal postnatal growth of squabs.

The influence of mineral supplementation on growth and skeletal development of yearling horses.

Forty-six Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in two experiments to evaluate the effect of mineral supplementation on growth and skeletal development. In the first experiment, concentrate and bermuda-grass hay diets providing 2.82 Mcal DE/kg (estimated), 13.0% CP, .62% Ca and .43% P on a DM basis were supplemented with trace minerals (TM) by adding 0, .5 or 1.0% TM premix to the concentrate. The TM content of the three diets (concentrate and hay) in mg/kg DM were: Fe 150, 162 and 176; Mn 56, 60 and 64; Zn 36, 53 and 69; and Cu 7, 8 and 11 for the low, medium and high TM levels, respectively. No effects of TM intake on feed intake, weight gain or body measurements were detected, but bone mineral deposition was increased by the high TM intake (P less than .02). No gross skeletal abnormalities were detected. In the second experiment, a basal diet with Ca and P concentrations near NRC (1978) recommendations was supplemented with no TM, TM or TM + Ca + P. The basal diet had TM concentrations similar to the highest TM levels in the first experiment. The two groups fed added minerals consumed more concentrate and total feed (P less than .1) than those receiving the basal diet. Weight gain was increased by the TM supplementation (P less than .1). There was no other diet effect on growth or development of the animals. Colts gained more height than fillies did (P less than .05). Results of these two experiments suggest that TM supplementation may have a positive effect on bone mineral deposition in yearling horses, but only when the TM content of the natural diet is below NRC (1978) recommendations.