The role of natural and synthetic zeolites as feed additives in the prevention and/or treatment of certain farm animal diseases (The role of natural and synthetic zeolites as feed additives in the prevention and/or treatment of certain farm animal diseases: A review)

Abstract

This review discusses the role of zeolites as feed additives in the prevention and/or treatment of certain diseases in farm animals. Both natural and synthetic zeolites have been used in animal nutrition primarily to improve performance traits and, based on their fundamental physicochemical properties, they have also been tested and found to be effective in preventing ammonia and heavy metal toxicity, poisoning, as well as the uptake of radioactive elements and metabolic skeletal defects. Over the past decade, their use as mycotoxin-binding adsorbents has been a topic of considerable interest, and numerous published research findings indicate their potential efficacy against various types of mycotoxins, either in their natural form or following specific modifications to their surface properties.

Ingested zeolites are involved in many biochemical processes through ion exchange, adsorption and catalysis. Recent findings support their role in the prevention of certain metabolic diseases in dairy cows, as well as their effect on shifting nitrogen excretion from urine to faeces in monogastric animals, which results in lower airborne ammonia concentrations in livestock housing. Furthermore, new evidence provides insights into potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of zeolites on animals suffering from gastrointestinal disturbances, including intestinal parasite infections. All the proposed mechanisms of zeolite effects are summarised in this review, and possible areas of focus for further research in selected fields are suggested.

© 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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