Review: Nutritional ecology of heavy metals

Abstract

The aim of this review is to focus the attention on the nutrition ecology of the heavy metals and on the major criticisms related to the heavy metals content in animal feeds, manure, soil and animal-origin products. Heavy metals are metallic elements that have a high density that have progressively accumulated in the food chain with negative effects for human health. Some metals are essential (Fe, I, Co, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Se) to maintain various physiological functions and are usually added as nutritional additives in animal feed. Other metals (As, Cd, F, Pb, Hg) have no established biological functions and are considered as contaminants/ undesirable substances. The European Union adopted several measures in order to control their presence in the environment, as a result of human activities such as: farming, industry or food processing and storage contamination. The control of the animal input could be an effective strategy to reduce human health risks related to the consumption of animal-origin products and the environmental pollution by manure. Different management of raw materials and feed, animal species as well as different legal limits can influence the spread of heavy metals. To set up effective strategies against heavy metals the complex interrelationships in rural processes, the widely variability of farming practices, the soil and climatic conditions must be considered. Innovative and sustainable approaches have discussed for the heavy metal nutrition ecology to control the environmental pollution from livestockrelated activities.

In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of algal extracts

“…In general, mineral premix additive is always included during the ration formulations, the amount of minerals contained in algae must be considered for their enclosure in the feed in order to respect the admitted levels of European Union regulation (Reg 1081/2003/EC) (EC 2003). In particular, some minerals are required as nutrients for the piglets, but they are frequently integrated in excess also to increase animal performances and this aspect could represent a risk for the environment (Hejna et al 2018). Minerals such as cadmium (Cd) are undesirable compounds and Cd could become toxic in higher concentrations.…”

Genomic data reveal international lineages of critical priority Escherichia coli harbouring wide resistome in Andean condors (Vultur gryphus Linnaeus, 1758)

“…The environment is exposed to different anthropogenic pollutants generated by industrial, domestic and agricultural activities, which increase the level of pollutants derived from natural sources (Richard et al., 2017; Vizuete, Pérez‐López, Míguez‐Santiyán, & Hernández‐Moreno, 2018). Metals such as arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) do not degrade and these metals could easily accumulate throughout the trophic chain and persist in nature (Borchert, Leaphart, Bryan, & Beasley, 2019; Burger, Mizrahi, Tsipoura, Jeitner, & Gochfeld, 2018; Vizuete et al, 2018); at the same time, As, Cd, Pb and Hg have no established biological functions and are considered as contaminants (Hejna et al., 2018). The presence of HMs has been registered in tissues of wild birds (Bond & Robertson, 2015; Burger et al., 2018; Majidi, Bahramifar, & Ghasempouri, 2015; Sepúlveda & Gonzalez‐Acuña, 2014), including the Andean condor (Di Marzio et al., 2018; Plaza et al, 2019; Wiemeyer et al., 2017).…”

Evaluation of concentration of heavy metals in animal rearing system

“…HMMs can enter animals' diet as both contaminants or undesirable substances, and also as essential nutrients (Fink-Gremmels 2012;Hejna et al 2018). For contaminants such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As), the maximum levels in certain foods have been established by regulation (European Parliament and of the Council 2002).…”

“…The manure is frequently used as a valuable organic fertiliser containing a broad range of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, as well as micronutrients (Nicholson et al 2003;Moral et al 2005;Chardon et al 2012;Jakubus et al 2013). HMMs output from intensive animal production varies considerably in relation to countries and farming system (Hejna et al 2018). According to Nicholson et al (2003) in England and Wales, the Zn and Cu output was higher in swine manure compared to cattle and poultry manure (650.00, 470.00 mg/kg DM, respectively).…”