An Organic Trace Mineral must be able to maintain its structure in solution at reduced pH levels to have any opportunity to survive the harsh environment of the gut and digestion.
Introduction
The study of the importance of trace elements in animal nutrition has been ongoing for nearly a century. Early on it was discovered that commercially available feeds were often deficient in several of the nutritionally important trace elements. Initially it was found that the addition of trace elements in the form of minerals (generally from mining or other industries) was sufficient to meet the animal’s biological needs. Much research was conducted on the solubility and nutritional availability of these “mineral” sources and it was found that some mineral sources were more nutritionally available than others. This research was used to formulate diets with the most appropriate sources of added minerals. More recently, it has been found that diets supplemented with some forms of trace minerals such as oxides, don’t always meet the demands of “modern” livestock and poultry. More available forms of trace elements were needed for improved reproductive function and disease prevention. Today it is generally accepted that animal performance can be improved by judicious use of organic forms of essential elements (especially transition metals and selenium). However, there is much debate concerning which organic forms are best utilized by the animal. Defining some of the major, and most important, differences in organic trace minerals is the basis for this article. Essential trace elements are not inert but are chemically active in an environment such as an animal diet and during the digestion process. Some chemical forms of nutritionally important trace elements are more active than others. Understanding how these elements react to major chemical changes during the digestion process is essential to deciding on the most appropriate form of the element to use.
What happens to metal complexes during digestion?
All organic trace minerals become part of the digesta as they are consumed by the animals. The high reactivity of transition metals causes them to react instantaneously in solution. Many of t
he reactions in the gut can render the metal insoluble and indigestible, while creating other problems including the potential to increase soil and water pollution. When metal salts like zinc sulfate dissolve in water, the products are sulfate ions and hydrated zinc. Only water molecules are bonded to the metal in a free metal ion like hydrated zinc. Free metal ions are extremely active and can react in many possible ways, some of them undesirable. When metals become free, they will react to compounds with affinity to that metal, in order of greatest affinity, until all free metals are reacted and an equilibrium is reached. Any changes to the surrounding environment causes a new equilibrium to be attained. This is by Mother Nature’s design, so that the strongest bonds survive. Metal ions may bond with one or more partners to form com plexes. Organic bonding partners can protect metal ions from undesirable reactions, keeping the metal soluble and increasing the probability that the mineral will be absorbed. The simple complex (Figure 1), has one bond between the metal ion and one organic partner through a single point of attachment. This single bond makes the simple complex prone to dissociate (separate the metal from its escort) in solution very easily, defeating the purpose of complexing. Zinc methionine is an example of a simple complex.
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