Chelates in animal nutrition
Chelates in Animal Nutrition
Chelates in animal nutrition (/kɪˈleɪts/; from the Greek word 'chēle', meaning 'claw') are a type of supplement that can enhance the absorption of essential minerals in the animal's body.
Etymology
The term 'chelate' is derived from the Greek word 'chēle', which translates to 'claw'. This is in reference to the claw-like manner in which the molecules 'grab' onto the minerals.
Definition
Chelates are organic compounds that can form a stable, ring-like complex with a metal ion. In the context of animal nutrition, chelates are used to improve the bioavailability of essential minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. These chelated minerals are more readily absorbed in the animal's digestive tract, leading to improved health and performance.
Importance in Animal Nutrition
Chelates play a crucial role in animal nutrition by enhancing the absorption of essential minerals. They are particularly beneficial in overcoming the challenges of mineral absorption in animals, such as interactions with other dietary components that can inhibit mineral uptake. By forming a protective ring around the mineral, chelates prevent these interactions, thereby improving the bioavailability of the mineral.
Types of Chelates
There are several types of chelates used in animal nutrition, including amino acid chelates, protein chelates, and polysaccharide chelates. Each type has its own unique properties and benefits, but all work to improve the absorption of essential minerals in the animal's body.
Related Terms
- Bioavailability: The degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity.
- Mineral: A solid, naturally occurring inorganic substance.
- Supplement: Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chelates in animal nutrition
- Wikipedia's article - Chelates in animal nutrition
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski