The Influence of EDTA on Performance of Chicks Fed Corn-Soybean Meal Diets With and Without Trace Mineral Supplementation

Abstract

CHELATING agents are found in a great variety of feedstuffs. Oxalic acid, starches, sugars, phytic acid, and proteins are only a few of the natural chelates that bind cations in feeds. Certain natural feedstuffs such as casein, liver extract, and distiller's dried solubles contain a factor or factors capable of improving both absorption and metabolism of zinc (Scott and Zeigler, 1963). These ingredients may contain natural chelates which normally function to improve transport and utilization of required mineral nutrients. O’Dell and Savage (1957) were among the first researchers to report the problem of cation unavailability in a feed source. They observed that the zinc requirement of chicks was greater in diets containing isolated soybean protein than in diets containing casein, gelatin, or egg white as a protein source. The excess requirement was apparently due to the fact that much of the zinc was chelated with phytic acid in the isolated . . .