Role of hydroxy trace minerals on health and production of livestock: a review
Bharath Reddy, Sumitha Nayak, A. Khare, Ravi Prakash Pal, Rajendra Prasad Sharma, A. Chourasiya, S. Namdeo, Sanjeev Thakur
Abstract
Trace minerals are micro nutrients that are required in less amount (< 100 ppm), but are required for maintaining health, production and reproduction of living organisms. Feed ingredients generally used in diets of animals may contain improper concentrations of essential trace minerals (TM) and may also contain higher concentrations of TM antagonists. So, it is necessary for supplementation of TM in ration of animals. Though, trace minerals have conventionally been supplemented in animal diets as inorganic salts (primarily sulfate and oxide forms), organic trace minerals (chelated or complexed to organic ligands) and nano form. However, there are some negative aspects with respect to these forms of minerals. Hydroxy form represents a new group of trace mineral source that include copper, zinc and manganese. They are non-hygroscopic, free of dust, non-oxidative and are insoluble in the rumen due to presence of covalent bond in its crystalline structure. Recently some works have been conducted and have shown the positive impact of hydroxy mineral in animal feed i.e. better stability of feed components as well as in animals' i.e. higher bioavailability as compared with other form of trace minerals. This review summarises the information currently available on hydroxy form of trace minerals, including supporting research conducted in livestock including poultry, with particular focus on the impact of this hydroxy form on health and production of animals.