The use of naturally occurring minerals in animal feed

摘要

A large range of additives are used in animal feed, including, but not limited to, antibiotics; vitamins; antioxidants; amino acids; enzymes; acidifiers; probiotics and minerals. The term minerals can be used to describe salt and metal compounds, which provide trace elements such as zinc and selenium. To distinguish between laboratory and factory-produced chemicals such as these and naturally occurring minerals, FEMAS (Feed Materials Assurance Scheme, UK) defined the latter as; "Limestone, salt, clays (bentonite, kaolinite, etc.) and other minerals which undergo no further processing beyond extraction, crushing, washing, drying and grading."