Positive impact of organic trace elements in ruminants

The Swiss company Pancosma SA developed the next generation of organic minerals now recognized to be a leader in animal feed markets around the world. The B-TRAXIM® 2C range has been developed combining science, physiology, chemistry and process technology for the most economical solution, optimal technical performance of animals and the highest safety and quality for the people working with the products.

Oguey et al. (2008) confirmed the patented chemical structure of the different Crystalline Complexes which gives this range part of its name, 2C (figure 1).

 

 

Unlike some other producers of organic trace minerals the chemical structure and the stability in different environments have been clearly established. Different trials showed superior stability of B-TRAXIM® 2C in water, at different pH, in premix, in pelleted feed and even in the presence of known antagonists and in acidic liquid feed (figure 2).

 

 

To achieve the quality standards of B-TRAXIM® 2C products that customers need, a new and patented production process was developed. This unique production process is based on the spouted bed technology and is optimized to create superior handling and homogeneity of the products. A fine granulate, without dust is the result (figure 3). The B-TRAXIM® 2C products are perfectly free-flowing, have a low risk for caking due to lower surface compared to finer products and have a better distribution in premix and feed due to their small and uniform particle size. As the ingredients are solubilized before spraying, also the final products are perfectly water soluble (figure 4).

 

 

Copper is an essential mineral in several enzymes, influencing many physiological processes (Underwood and Suttle, 1999), but bioavailability of copper from ruminant diets is depressed by the presence of antagonists such as molybdenum, Sulphur and iron (Spears, 2003).

Hansen et al. (2008) found that the bioavailability of B-TRAXIM® 2C Cu was better, compared to copper sulphate in beef steers fed a diet high in the antagonists sulphur and molybdenum. In this trial 60 beef steers were fed a diet (containing 0.15% sulphur and 2 ppm molybdenum for all), supplemented with copper from either copper sulphate or B-TRAXIM® 2C Cu. Numerically higher copper levels were found in the plasma and liver of the steers fed the diet supplemented with B-TRAXIM® 2C Cu and a significantly higher level of ceruloplasmin (P = 0.01). After molybdenum in the diet for all steers was increased to 6 ppm for 28 days, all copper levels for the steers supplemented with B-TRAXIM® 2C Cu were significantly different (P = 0.01) (figure 5). This clearly shows higher bioavailability of copper from B-TRAXIM® 2C Cu, compared to copper sulphate in ruminants.

Figure 5. The bioavailability of copper from B-TRAXIM® 2C Cu in ruminants, compared to copper sulphate (as reference). Different letters (a, b) indicate significant differences (P<0.05). 

 

Zinc is known to play critical roles in the immune system (Shankar and Prasad, 1998). Spears et al (2004) showed a higher bioavailability of zinc from a zinc glycinate complex (B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn), compared to zinc from zinc sulphate. It could therefore be suggested that using zinc glycinate as zinc source, can improve the immune system.

The North Carolina State University concluded that B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn had a positive effect on immune parameters, based on a trial with 102 beef steers, comparing two sources of zinc supplementation (B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn, or zinc sulphate), Fry et al. (2009). The sources were supplemented at 30 ppm on top of a receiving and a growing diet containing respectively 22 and 25 ppm of zinc. During the receiving phase (the first 28 days after introduction into the feedlot for fattening), more than 75% of all the animals needed treatment related to respiratory diseases (no relation to the fed diet). 

 

 

Haptoglobin levels were measured at days 0, 7, 14 and 28 in the receiving phase. Haptoglobin is an acute phase protein, known to increase in case of infection. Starting from day 14, the haptoglobin levels were reduced for the animals fed 30 ppm zinc from B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn, compared to the animals fed zinc sulphate (figure 6). This indicates a decrease of infection level for the group fed with B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn. The observation was also confirmed with a reduced number of animals treated during this trial period. Therefore it can be concluded that adding 30 ppm zinc as B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn has a positive effect on some immune parameters.

 

In the growing phase, some steers from each treatment were injected with pig red blood cells to induce an immune reaction. Their immunoglobulin level was measured at days 7, 14 and 21 post-injection. The level of indicates the intensity and quality of the immune response. Animals with higher levels of immunoglobulins will therefore have a better protection against this infection. Steers supplemented with B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn had greater production of total immunoglobulins following the injection than steers supplemented with zinc sulphate(figure 7)_. This indicates a better immune response for the group fed with B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn. Supplementation with 30 ppm of zinc from B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn, improves the immune response of beef cattle and speeded up their recovery, compared to zinc sulphate. 

Based on these results, supplementation of zinc glycinate as B-TRAXIM® 2C Zn could for instance reduce antimicrobial treatments per steer, compared to alternative sources of zinc.

The newest product in the B-TRAXIM® range for ruminants is the B-TRAXIM® PRO4. This combination of four essential minerals for ruminants, in the most suitable ratio, is of course produced according to our high quality standards, like the well-known B-TRAXIM® 2C minerals. Being dust free, odourless, very stable in all circumstances and perfectly water soluble, sets our minerals apart from the competition (figure 8). Using Pancosma’s iso-fusion technology (IFT®), every particle of B-TRAXIM® PRO4 contains the minerals at the exact same ratio, for perfect distribution and homogeneity in premix and feed. B-TRAXIM® PRO4 does not contain any carrier material and is therefore highly concentrated compared to competitors, which also makes it very economical.

 

B-TRAXIM® 2C products are high quality minerals built on unique, patented molecules and production process. Pancosma’s minerals are the most bioavailable trace minerals on the market, which means more of the minerals are absorbed by the animal to deliver their full benefit. In recent years there is a broader interest in highly available trace minerals, because more is discovered about the influence of these trace minerals on for example immunity. B-TRAXIM® minerals provide concrete benefits to the animal and therefore increase the profitability for the end-users.