Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate: effects on zinc, manganese, vitamin A, and riboflavin utilization

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS, a phyllosilicate) on Zn, Mn, vitamin A, and riboflavin utilization in young broiler chicks. In Experiment 1, addition of either .5% or 1.0% HSCAS to practical corn-soybean meal diets had no effect (P greater than .05) on total tibia Mn content or total liver vitamin A concentration. Total tibia Zn decreased slightly, but linearly (P less than .05), as level of HSCAS increased. Graded increments of riboflavin (0, .6 and 1.2 mg per kg of diet) were added to a riboflavin-free purified amino acid diet to assess riboflavin utilization as affected by HSCAS in Experiments 2 (.5% HSCAS) and 3 (1.0% HSCAS). Linear growth responses to riboflavin were obtained in the absence and presence of HSCAS. Common intercept multiple-linear regression indicated that riboflavin utilization was not affected (P greater than .05) by .5% or 1.0% HSCAS. The results suggest that .5% or 1.0% dietary HSCAS does not impair Mn, vitamin A, or riboflavin utilization, but that Zn utilization is reduced slightly as a result of HSCAS ingestion.