The Influence of Sodium Bentonite In Vitro and in the Ration of Steers

Abstract

In vitro and in vivo studies with steers were conducted with sodium bentonite with the following results: Sodium bentonite bound pure carotene in vitro, and altering the pH did not influence the release of carotene. Three percent of dietary sodium bentonite did not significantly influence either the rate of gain, feed efficiency, digestibility of dry matter or crude fiber, or hepatic vitamin A and carotene retention in steers fed a diet containing 25% of dehydrated alfalfa. Sodium bentonite bound other pigments in addition to carotene in dehydrated alfalfa. Probably sodium bentonite would have no deleterious effect on carotene use if the clay were incorporated into rations rich in pigments.