Background:
Inadequate intake of trace minerals may result in reduced intake, lower reproductive efficiency, poor disease immunity, slower daily gains, and poorer feed conversion. The trace mineral salts are broken down in the digestive tract to form free ions and are then absorbed. However, free ions are very reactive and can form complexes with other dietary molecules, which are difficult to absorb. Thus, the availability of trace minerals to the animals therefore varies considerably and under extreme conditions it may be unavailable for absorption. Large quantities of undigested minerals are then excreted and cause environmental pollution. For this reason, there is growing interest in organic, that is proteinated or chelated trace minerals.
Technology Details:
Indigenous production of trace mineral products namely Zn-Met, Cu-Met, Co-Met and FeMet have been developed. The inorganic mineral salt has been dissolved in water followed by precipitating in alkaline condition. Precipitate is dissolved in low concentration HCL followed by mixing with standard concentration of hot methionine – water solution. Mixture is then precipitated with standard NaOH solution and the precipitate is dried at 50-55 0C and then become ready to use as organic trace minerals. A mineral mixture for pig namely ‘PIGMIN’ has been developed at the institute which improved the production performances of pigs. o It improved immunity (less disease or sickness) o It improved the reproductive performance (shorter days open, higher conception rates, or less embryonic loss) o It improved herd health o It improved growth performances