Enterosorbent for farm animals

Abstract

Natural mineral glauconite, which is extracted in the Bondarsky district in the Tambov region, has a high adsorption capacity. The study of its properties as an enterosorbent in the conditions of passage through the gastrointestinal tract of calves was executed. Chemical modification of the mineral was carried out by converting to Na-form. As a result of treatment, the number of bacteria in it decreased 10 times, and the number of molds decreased 3 times. The prepared enterosorbent was fed to 2 and 6-month-old calves once and for 6 and 9 days daily in the amount of 0.2 g/kg of live weight. The content of metals in the mineral, feed and excrement was determined by x-ray fluorescence analysis. According to the results of one-time feeding of enterosorbent to the calf during the milk growing period, a significant sorption effect was observed with respect to copper (13.6%), nickel (52.7%) and lead (93.8%). The use of enterosorbent in the diets of 6-month-old calves contributed to an increase in the excretion of lead from the body of animals up to 36% of the total amount, which on average is excreted with feces.