Essential Nanominerals and Other Nanomaterials in Poultry Nutrition and Production

Abstract

Poultry production, health and wellbeing are highly dependent upon formulation of balanced rations in terms of energy, protein, and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Among all, minerals are required in fewer quantities, but they are very important to maintain the productivity in poultry. Minerals present in the feeds are less bioavailable and additional supplementation is obligatory to meet the physiological demands of poultry. Conventionally, minerals are supplemented as inorganic salts, which are less absorbed and, thus, a major proportion is excreted to the surroundings creating environment issues. Nano-minerals and organic mineral chelates are other alternative to be used as livestock and poultry feed supplements. Though organic minerals are more bioavailable than inorganic salts, their high cost limits its use. In contrast, nano-minerals are relatively easy to synthesize at a lower cost. Nano-minerals are of the size from 1–100 nm and due to such small size, there is an enormous increase in surface area and thus their biological responses. The biological response studies have signified better retention of nano-minerals as compared to inorganic salts, and consequently leached less to the environment preventing possible pollution. Apart from these, nano-minerals have been shown to enhance growth, egg production and quality, immune-modulation and antioxidant status, and at the same time economize the production by reducing the supplemental dose of minerals and improving the feed conversion ratio. Some nano-minerals and other nanoparticles have strong antimicrobial effects, which have been shown to reduce pathogenic microorganisms in the gut. Nano-minerals seem to be less toxic than conventional mineral sources. Though less, few studies have indicated toxic effects of nano-mineral supplementation at higher dose of application, which should be validated by more programmed studies. Nanotechnology in poultry production system is still in its budding stage and more detailed studies are warranted to validate, establish and search for new effects of nano-minerals as they sometimes produce effects beyond expectation. This review highlights the biological responses of nanominerals on poultry production performance, quality of meat and eggs, tissue retention, immunity, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial actions compared with their conventional mineral sources.

The Potential of Selenium-Based Therapies for Ocular Oxidative Stress

“…Inorganic selenium (Se IV , Se VI ) requires two steps of reduction (oxidizing GSH) to be transformed to the active metabolite, while the organic form is metabolised by selenocysteine lyase via a process that does not include the oxidation step [67]. Elemental selenium in the nano size, on the other hand, has an unclear path of metabolism due to the much reduced particle size that does not resemble the bulk material and follows the mechanism of nanoparticles uptake and metabolism [85].…”

Meeting Contemporary Challenges: Development of Nanomaterials for Veterinary Medicine

“…In cattle breeding, the application of nanoformulated selenium and zinc enhanced animal resistance and improved milk production capacity [ 204 ]. The addition of Zn-based NPs to the diet led to an increase in performance, rumen fermentation, and antioxidant system activity in calves [ 205 ] and goats [ 206 ]. Selenium NPs increased selenoprotein (Sel) gene expression and the selenium concentration in the milk of lactating dairy cows [ 207 ] and improved the feed assimilation and rumen fermentation in sheep [ 208 ].…”

Nanotechnology innovations for increasing the productivity of poultry and the prospective of nanobiosensors

“…In this manner, the utilisation of selenium nanoparticles in poultry nourishment is suggested due to its impacts on the quality and quantity of products and the reduction of environmental pollution, especially in conditions of various types of stress (Abdel‐Moneim et al., 2021 ; Patra & Lalhriatpuii, 2020 ). Due to the vital role of selenium in reproductive physiology and follicle production, adding it to the diet is a common strategy to improve health and egg production (Swain et al., 2021 ). Previous researchers' results have shown that adding 0.25–0.3 mg of selenium nanoparticles per kilogram of a diet of laying hens increases the production and content of selenium in eggs (El‐Ramady et al., 2014 ; Yu et al., 2022 ).…”