Role of Zinc Propionate in Animal Feed or Poultry Diets

Role of Zinc Propionate in Animal Feed or Poultry Diets?

Daily nutrition of cattle and poultry includes fat, proteins, and carbohydrates which not only impact the health of these animals but affect the milk and eggs production. But am I forgetting something? Yes, trace elements are required in the diet of these animals. Now the word suggests that these elements are required in very small quantity, it is likely to be forgotten in their feed. And missing them in diet will hamper the proper functioning of their body. However small quantity they might be required, their absence makes a huge difference. Trace minerals involve zinc, copper, manganese, iron, etc.

The absence of minerals from the feed is one thing but poor absorption of minerals from the feed is another main reason for the deficiency. Absorption is a complex process in these animals which starts at the cellular level. It enters the intestine then through mucose to intestinal villi which follow into an individual cell.

Zinc propionate?is preferred over inorganic minerals. It is due to bioavailability, solubility, and absorption. Now for a mineral to properly function it must completely dissociate and solubilize so that the mineral could be taken up by a cell. As compared to zinc propionate, metal oxides and inorganic minerals are not completely absorbed due to delayed dissociation or solubility, resulting in reduced bioavailability.

Zinc is absorbed in the abomasum and small intestine initially, from the organic or inorganic chelates. Few hypotheses and experiments suggest linking dissociated zinc with amino acid, methionine that transports zinc to different parts of the body. Zinc chelates have driven the quality and quantity of milk production in respect of superiority.

Marked changes were seen in immune system response and disease resistance in poultry birds supplemented with?Zinc propionate. In E.Coli-challenged birds, a diet rich in organic zinc compounds renders a better immune response and protects them. Not only this but layer birds protect the progeny.

Another important role that?zinc propionate?plays in poultry is maintaining superior quality of eggshells. The zinc-dependent enzyme, namely, carbonic anhydrase converts calcium to calcium carbonate which is required in the formation of eggshells. Macromolecules like calcium, Vitamin D3, and phosphorus are major nutrients but zinc, and manganese are responsible for mucopolysaccharide and carbonate synthesis along with the formation of eggshells. Eggshell quality determines the market value of the egg and also protects from Salmonella affecting the egg. Another benefit was the highest production of eggs and chicks along with the superior quality of eggshells and high-strength eggshells in old hens.

So, wide safety margins are often used to avoid trace mineral deficiencies and allow birds to achieve their genetic potential.?