Intellibond Hydroxy Trace Minerals Deliver Cost-Effective High Bioavailability


By Dr Sophie Prentice, Monogastric Feed Additive Product Manager, Trouw Nutrition GB


Optimising trace mineral supply to the animal’s bloodstream is key to optimising performance and minimising a range of conditions that can compromise productivity in pigs and poultry. The new form of hydroxy trace minerals now available on the GB market overcome some of the challenges presented with inorganic forms of trace elements currently included in animal supplements to improve performance and cost- effectiveness of supplementation. The sole objective of mineral nutrition is to meet the requirements


of the animal as efficiently as possible, maximising animal performance and controlling costs whilst increasingly helping meet environmental constraints. All trace elements are absorbed into the blood stream in the


intestines via specific metal protein transporters. This process is the same, irrespective of the source and form of trace element fed. However, the different forms will vary in their ability to get the metal ion to the point of absorption and therefore in their relative bioavailability. Inorganic sulphate sources of trace elements are highly soluble


in the gastro-intestinal tract which greatly compromises their efficacy. Due to their high solubility at the pH levels in the gut, the dissociated free metal ion becomes available to bind to antagonists rendering it unavailable, meaning less is available for absorption. It can also bind to other nutrients, making them less available. Organic sources, such as amino acid chelates and complexes,


on the other hand are non-reactive in the gut, meaning more of the trace mineral ions pass into the intestine for absorption. However, the downside of organic sources is cost. The increased


bioavailability brings with it an increased price compared to inorganic sources with implications for formulation costs and finished product prices. A newly defined category of trace minerals, Hydroxy trace


minerals, offer a new option for formulators, combining the superior bioavailability and reduced reactivity of organic sources but at a lower cost. Hydroxy trace minerals have a unique hydroxy group bonded


to the metal. This unique structure allows superior performance as the molecule remains intact in the upper gastrointestinal tract but then becomes available for absorption in the intestine when the pH drops below 4.0.


It does not bind with antagonists or other nutrients, PAGE 50 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 FEED COMPOUNDER With the growing scrutiny on the environmental impact of animal


production, it is notable that the use of Intellibonds contributes to reduced mineral excretion which is beneficial for soil mineral status.


particularly in the early gut, so bioavailability is improved. The complete IntelliBond®


range of hydroxy trace minerals,


including copper, zinc and manganese was launched into the US market by Micronutrients in 2011 and was then acquired by Nutreco in 2016, to strengthen the Trouw Nutrition Selko brand portfolio. Selko IntelliBond is now the fastest growing hydroxy trace mineral brand globally, produced to robust quality control and assurance standards in the US, and offering an advanced solution to drive animal performance. There is a growing bank of research data showing significant


benefits from the use of hydroxy-minerals in pig and poultry production. In pig production the use of Intellibonds has been demonstrated


to help ensure a stronger immune system, reducing stress in piglets and improving performance. In finishers Intellibonds have been proven to increase lean meat percentage, average daily gain and feed conversion, all key indicators for better returns. Reducing variability in finishing has a major impact on unit


throughput, particularly in all in: all out systems. Figure 1 demonstrates how the inclusion of Intellibonds reduces variability in finishing pigs, cutting the numbers of both tailenders and overweight pigs.


Figure 1: Differences in finisher body weight variation comparing sulphates and IntelliBond


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