Experimental studies on safety and efficacy of the dietary use of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff in sows: a review of recent research in Greece

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 65 - 74
• Main Authors: Kyriakis, S.C, Papaioannou, D.S, Alexopoulos, C, Polizopoulou, Z, Tzika, E.D, Kyriakis, C.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 15-01-2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal productions; Biological and medical sciences; Clinoptilolite; Efficacy; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Nutrition; Safety; Sow; Terrestrial animal productions; Vertebrates; Greece; Europe; Clinoptilolite; Efficacy; Sow; Safety; Nutrition; Mycotoxin; Supplemented diet; Zeolite; Feeding; Pig; Toxin; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Absorption; Female; Artiodactyla; Fecundity; Ungulata
• ISSN: 1387-1811; 1873-3093
• DOI: 10.1016/S1387-1811(01)00475-9

Evidence is available for improved growth and reproductive performance of farm animals fed zeolite-supplemented diets. Zeolite-enriched diets may also have value in reducing the detrimental toxic effects of ingested mycotoxins. To assess this, the safety and efficacy of the long-term dietary use of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff (Cp) in sows were investigated in two experimental designs, in terms of potential undesirable effects on the animals' health and the blood concentration of certain nutrients, as well as of any beneficial effect on their performance. In both studies the participating animals were assigned in two experimental groups (Cp-group and N-group), depending on the presence of Cp, at the inclusion rate of 2%, or not in their feed. The experimental diets were administered for a complete reproductive cycle. No adverse or side effects attributable to the use of Cp were noticed during the critical periods of pregnancy and lactation. Furthermore, no significant alteration in the serum concentration of certain vitamins (vitamins E and A) and mineral elements (inorganic P, K, Cu, Zn) was observed. The consumption of the Cp-enriched diet also proved to exert a promoting effect on sow's reproductive performance, since it resulted in larger litter sizes and piglets' body weights at both birth and weaning, additionally implying a protective role in ameliorating the toxic effects of the zearalenone which was found in considerable levels in pregnancy feed samples throughout the observation period. The overall results established the safety and efficacy criteria for the dietary use of Cp in sows.