Leg weakness, footpad lesions as well as pododermatitis and skin scratches are key problems driving down the profitability of a broiler operation. Trace minerals play an important role in strengthening the health of the bird and minimizing the occurrence of these influential factors. Novus provides highly bio-available, chelated organic trace minerals (OTMs) under the brandname MINTREX^® for strengthening broiler performance resulting in higher carcass value.

MINTREX® Zn, Cu and Mn, are unique chelates of hydroxy analogue of methionine (HMTBa), registered according to the latest EU regulation on feed additives (EC 1831/2003). Thanks to their precisely defined structure, MINTREX® chelates deliver more trace minerals to the cells and tissues compared to other mineral sources, supporting various physiological functions which strengthen broiler health and improve carcass yield. Numerous university and controlled field trial evaluations, have, and continue to demonstrate the benefits of MINTREX®:

In contrary to other existing organic mineral sources, Zn, Cu and Mn in MINTREX® are chelated, chemically bound in a 2:1 ratio by HMTBa (equal to the active ingredient in ALIMET® feed supplement) This ensures

• resistance to low pH conditions in the gizzard
• stable transport of the minerals to the gut
• protection of the minerals from possible antagonisms in the feed or by other minerals

MINTREX® is a highly stable, strong molecule with a specific structure to enable Zn, Cu and Mn to readily arrive at the upper gastro-intestinal tract for maximum absorption into the blood and tissues providing maximum efficacy.

Metallothionein (MT) protein is a well-accepted biomarker for mineral bioavailability; it has a strong binding capacity for metals and its synthesis is directly correlated with the level of Zn-absorption. The magnitude of expression of MT, regulated by metallothionein messenger RNA (mRNA) therefore is a precise indicator of the Zn status of the bird for evaluating the bioavailability of different mineral sources .(Davis and Cousins, 2000).

Figure 1: results of an experiment that measured MT-mRNA expression in the small intestine of broilers. Animals were fed control diets or diets supplemented with different zinc sources. Results show that MINTREX® significantly increases the expression of methallothionein mRNA compared to the other mineral sources (tested at 70 ppm Zn

Fig. 2/3: University Sao Paolo, Brazil, 2011. 468 broilers, 8 x 30 birds/group. One group of birds was supplemented with inorganic trace minerals (ITM) at 100 ppm Zn: 16 ppm Cu: 100 ppm Mn. The other half was fed with a MINTREX® reduce & replace strategy:50 ppm Zn: 8 ppm Cu: 50 ppm Mn.While achieving higher carcass yields, the MINTREX® supplemented birds also showed to excrete significantly less minerals in the litter (- 38%) compared to the ITM fed birds.

These evidences suggest the superior bioavailabilty of MINTREX® compared to inorganic trace elements.

Fig. 4: University Leuven, Belgium, 2011. Floor pen trial with 420 broilers, farmed to 42 days of age. 3 treatments with 10 replicates of 14 birds each. Group 1 supplemented with ITMs at 60 ppm Zn: 15 ppm Cu: 80 ppm Mn. Group 2 supplemented with ITMs at 32 ppm Zn: 8 ppm Cu: 32 ppm Mn ( reduce program vs group 1). Group 3 supplemented with MINTREX®: 32 ppm Zn : 8 ppm Cu: 32 ppm Mn. Live weight (% difference compared to MINTREX), feed conversion ratio, flock uniformity and foot pad lesions were evaluated at day 42.

Fig. 5: US trial performed with 18 laying hens/ treatment, 33 weeks of age. Embryo development was evaluated by measuring thickness of femur & tibia bones. Korver, Alberta, US, presented at ‘Les Journées de la Recherche Avicole ‘, 2011

From rising feed costs to increasing export demands, animal welfare to environmental concerns, the poultry industry faces many challenges. Gov­ernment restrictions regarding mineral levels are in our future. Now is the time to be proactive and set an indus­try-leading standard. MINTREX® chelated OTMsalso are environmentally compatible. As a highly bioavailable mineral source, MINTREX® compounds are absorbed and used by the birds to a much greater degree than comparable inor­ganic trace mineral supplements. Adding MINTREX® in broiler & broiler breeder diets therefore results also in fewer minerals excreted (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6 US integrator, 2 x 4 farms of 15.000 birds Group 1 supplemented with ITMsat 100 ppm Zn: 125 ppm Cu: 90 ppm Mn. MINTREX® birds fed with reduce & replace strategy:32 ppm Zn: 8 ppm Cu: 32 ppm Mn. While achieving equal results on bird performance, the MINTREX® supplemented birds showed significant less excretion of minerals in the litter.

MINTREX® minerals are manufactured with the highest quality standards on the market today. Thanks to a stringent Novus Quality Management System, including controlling (of)? impurities, appropriate documentation, appropriate labeling, traceable raw materials and safety assurances, every lot of MINTREX® that is produced, ensures secure and high-quality trace minerals.

Unmatched Quality, Maximum Value

MINTREX® consistently delivers more essential trace minerals to a bird which translates into healthier animals, more efficient yields and ultimately, better bottom line profits. The MINTREX® portfolio can enhance the profitability of your operation whilst safeguarding a minimal environmental impact.

References available on request

® NOVUS , and MINTREX are trademarks of Novus International, Inc. and are registered in the United States and in other countries.