Influence of the Chelation Process on the Stability of Organic Trace Mineral Supplements Used in Animal Nutrition

The effect of the chelation process on the pH-dependent stability of organic trace minerals (OTMs) used as mineral supplements in animal nutrition was assessed using analytical techniques such as potentiometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIRS) and amino acid profiling. The aim was to understand the influence and relative importance of the manufacturing conditions on mineral chelation and the subsequent pH stability of OTMs. A selection of OTMs were assessed over a wide pH range to account for the typical environmental changes encountered in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the case of proteinate type products, the potentiometric assessment of free mineral concentration indicated that the hydrolysis procedure used to generate the chelating peptides was the major influencer of the pH stability of the products. Many products are available under the umbrella term “OTMs”, including amino acid complexes, amino acid chelates, polysaccharide complexes and proteinates. Significant differences in the pH-dependent stability of a range of commercially available OTMs were observed.

Organic microelement complex in feeding of cows in the production of iodized milk

The optimal level of mineral nutrition of animals is of great importance in the organization of complete feeding. Micromineral feeding of cattle, pigs and poultry has recently received more and more attention. A significant contribution to the solution of this issue is made by an organic microelement complex based on L-aspartic amino acid produced by JSC “Bioamide” under the trademark OMEC-7M. The purpose of the research was to study the effect of the organic microelement complex based on the L-aspartic amino acid OMEC-7M and organic iodine OMEC-J on the milk productivity and composition of cow milk. In order to conduct scientific and economic experiments, groups of cows have been formed according to the principle of analogous pairs taking into account age, live weight, date of the last calving, productivity and physiological state. Live weight of cows was 500–550 kg with a yield of 5000-6000 kg of milk per lactation. The conditions of feeding and housing the animals were the same, with the exception of the studied factors. Studies have been conducted to determine the effect of organic trace elements Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Co and Se in the form of asparaginates and organic J on the milk productivity of cows, the composition of milk and the content of iodine in it, the morphological and biochemical composition of blood, the content of the rumen, the digestibility and use of feed nutrients compared to the inorganic salts of these trace elements. As a result of four scientific and economic experiments the effectiveness of the use of the organic microelement complex based on the L-aspartic amino acid OMEC-7M and organic iodine OMEC-J in the feeding of cows in the production of iodized milk has been proved.

Design of Polymer-Embedded Heterogeneous Fenton Catalysts for the Conversion of Organic Trace Compounds

Advanced oxidation processes are the main way to remove persistent organic trace compounds from water. For these processes, heterogeneous Fenton catalysts with low iron leaching and high catalytic activity are required. Here, the preparation of such catalysts consisting of silica-supported iron oxide (Fe2O3/SiOx) embedded in thermoplastic polymers is presented. The iron oxide catalysts are prepared by a facile sol–gel procedure followed by thermal annealing (calcination). These materials are mixed in a melt compounding process with modified polypropylenes to stabilize the Fe2O3 catalytic centers and to further reduce the iron leaching. The catalytic activity of the composites is analyzed by means of the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) assay, as well as by the conversion of phenol which is used as an example of an organic trace compound. It is demonstrated that embedding of silica-supported iron oxide in modified polypropylene turns the reaction order from pseudo-first order (found for Fe2O3/SiOx catalysts), which represents a mainly homogeneous Fenton reaction, to pseudo-zeroth order in the polymer composites, indicating a mainly heterogeneous, surface-diffusion-controlled process.

PSIV-17 Effects of Trace Mineral Source and Level on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grow-finish Pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of trace mineral source and level for grow-finish pigs. In Exp. 1, 2,168 pigs (initial BW = 23.0 kg) were used in a 117-d trial. There were 5 treatments based on inorganic (sulfates and oxides) or organic (Alltech Bioplex, Lexington, KY) minerals supplemented at different levels as follows: 1) Industry inorganic (120 mg/kg Zn, 100 mg/kg Fe, 40 mg/kg Mn, 10 mg/kg Cu); 2) 100% NRC inorganic (60 mg/kg Zn, 60 mg/kg Fe, 2.2 mg/kg Mn, 4 mg/kg Cu); 3) 33% NRC organic (20 mg/kg Zn, 20 mg/kg Fe, 0.7 mg/kg Mn, 1.3 mg/kg Cu); 4) 66% NRC organic (40 mg/kg Zn, 40 mg/kg Fe, 1.5 mg/kg Mn, 2.6 mg/kg Cu); and 5) 100% NRC organic (60 mg/kg Zn, 60 mg/kg Fe, 2.2 mg/kg Mn, 4 mg/kg Cu). Selenium level was 0.30 mg/kg for all treatments. Treatment 1 had 14 replicates and the other treatments had 18 replicates. Pigs were weighed approximately every three weeks and carcass data was collected at the end of the trial. Data was analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. There was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) for overall ADG, ADFI, G:F, and final BW. Pigs fed 66% NRC organic had the highest (P < 0.05) percentage lean and loin depth. In Exp. 2, 1,188 pigs (initial BW = 25.9 kg) were used in a 120-d trial with two treatments: 1) Industry inorganic and 2) 66% NRC organic, with the same mineral levels as Exp. 1 and 24 replicates per treatment. There was no difference (P > 0.10) in growth performance. Similar to Exp. 1, pigs fed 66% NRC organic had higher (P < 0.05) percentage lean and loin depth. In conclusion, lower levels of organic trace minerals resulted in improved carcass characteristics without compromising growth performance.

Selenium source and level on performance, selenium retention and biochemical responses of young broiler chicks

Background Selenium (Se) has been recognized as an essential micronutrient for nearly all forms of life. In recent decades, broiler responses to dietary Se supplemental levels and sources have received considerable attention. On environmental grounds, organic trace mineral utilization in practical broiler feeds has been defended due to its higher bioavailability. In such feeds, trace minerals are provided simultaneously in the same supplement as inorganic salts or organic chelates, a fact commonly ignored in assays conducted to validate organic trace mineral sources. The current assay aimed to investigate growth and biochemical responses, as well as Se retention of growing chicks fed diets supplemented with organic and inorganic Se levels and where the trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, and iron) were provided as organic chelates or inorganic salts according to Se source assessed. In so doing, a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement was used to investigate the effects of sodium selenite (SS) and selenium-yeast (SY) supplemented in feeds to provide the levels of 0, 0.08, 0.16, 0.24, and 0.32 mg Se/kg. Results Chicks fed selenium-yeast diets had body weight (BW), and average daily gain (ADG) maximized at 0.133 and 0.130 mg Se/kg, respectively. Both Se sources linearly increased (P < 0.05) the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in chick blood but higher values were observed in sodium selenite fed chicks (P < 0.05). Both Se sources influenced thyroid hormone serum concentrations (P < 0.05). Chicks fed SY exhibited greater retention of Se in the feathers (P < 0.05). Relative bioavailability of selenium yeast compared with SS for the Se content in carcass, feathers, total and Se retention were, 126, 116, 125 and 125%, respectively. SY supplementation resulted in lower liver Se concentration as Se supplementation increased (P < 0.05). Conclusions Based on performance traits, the supplemental level of organic Se as SY in organic trace minerals supplement to support the maximal growth of broiler chicks is 0.133 mg Se/kg.

Analysing surface water-groundwater interactions on selected sites of the River Moselle: Identifying transport processes along an important inland waterway in Germany

&lt;p&gt;Hydraulic engineering structures like locks affect the natural hydraulic conditions and have a relevant impact on surface water &amp;#8211; groundwater interactions due to enlarging the hydraulic gradient. For this, these sites are excellent areas to study associated flow paths, mass transport and their spatial and temporal variability in higher detail. However, no large-scale study at an inland waterway is available in Germany until now.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our work aims to close this gap by applying a multiparameter approach for analyzing surface water-groundwater-interactions by using pH, electrical conductivity, major ions in combination with various other tracers like stable water isotopes, 222-Rn, and tritium. In this context, we also investigate the usability of organic trace compounds and their associated transformation products as potential new tracers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The main study approach is based on the hypothesis that i) gaining stream sections show relatively high 222-Rn concentrations originating from discharging groundwater and ii) losing stream sections which are characterized by low 222-Rn concentrations as well as lower tritium and organic trace compounds inventories compared to unaffected areas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During different flow-scenarios of the river Moselle, we test these hypotheses by means of a high-resolution longitudinal sampling at 2 km intervals of the main stream (along 242 km) and its major tributaries in combination with groundwater sampling at numerous wells.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here, we present the first results of the longitudinal sampling campaign of the river Moselle in October 2020, which took place during intermediate flow conditions (Q=200 m&amp;#179;/s). We used on-site and in-situ 222-Rn measurements and electrical conductivity as a tracer to immediately identify zones along the Moselle with increased groundwater inflow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With the use of these tracers, we will deepen the conceptual process understanding of surface water &amp;#8211; groundwater interactions occurring at larger streams and during different flow conditions, which may lead to a general river characterization of losing and gaining stream reaches. Moreover, understanding the sources of water compounds and the processes involved during transportation and transformation is crucial for maintaining a good quality of the water body, which is key for proper water management. The findings obtained in the region of the Moselle river might be further transferred to other waterways and support decision making.&lt;/p&gt;