Zinc chelate of protein hydrolysates

What it is. Zinc chelate of protein hydrolysates is a nutritional additive from the trace element group, obtained by binding zinc to anions derived from a soybean protein hydrolysate. It is presented as a powder containing a minimum of 10% zinc, of which at least 85% is chelated.

What it is for. It serves as a source of zinc in feed for all species, to cover requirements for this trace element involved notably in enzymatic, skin and immune functions. The chelated form with a hydrolysed protein aims to promote zinc assimilation compared with inorganic salts. It is used in premixes or directly in compound feed, for all species and physiological stages.

Points to watch. The maximum total zinc content (including the additive) in complete feed is set per species: 200 mg/kg for dogs and cats, 180 mg/kg for salmonids and milk replacers for calves, 150 mg/kg for piglets, sows, rabbits and fish other than salmonids, 120 mg/kg for other species or categories. The chelated zinc and protein hydrolysate content must be checked using the specified analytical methods (ICP-AES, AAS, FTIR, ion-exchange chromatography).