Two zeolite-rich rock samples extracted from Campanian Ignimbrite tuff quarries, southern Italy, usuallyused as binding and anticaking agents in animal feeding, were characterized and tested in terms of theirresistance in stomach, small and large intestine of pig, using a three step in vitro digestibility trial. Themineralogical composition and major and trace-elements analysis were performed after each digestionstep using XRPD and ICP-OES techniques. The main zeolite phases identified are phillipsite and chabazite.Results showed that in vitro physical-chemical conditions (pH 2e3 and T 39 C) the release of Pb andother elements from the zeolite structure is extremely low and due to the limited breakdown of thezeolite framework and glass/amorphous matter hydrolysis, by the gastric liquids. This aspect also suggeststhat zeolites, after the total permanence in the animal body digestive tract, can further performtheir important function of cation exchanger, with also relevant relapses on the growth and health of theanimal species, as well as on the environment. Moreover, the contact of zeolite material with liquids ofsmall and large intestine leads to negligible release of undesirable elements, which are far less than thoseenvisaged by the European Regulations.
The effect of digestive activity of pig gastro-intestinal tract on zeolite-rich rocks: An in vitro study
MERCURIO M
;CAPPELLETTI P;DE GENNARO M;GRIFA C;LANGELLA A;
2016-01-01
Abstract
Two zeolite-rich rock samples extracted from Campanian Ignimbrite tuff quarries, southern Italy, usuallyused as binding and anticaking agents in animal feeding, were characterized and tested in terms of theirresistance in stomach, small and large intestine of pig, using a three step in vitro digestibility trial. Themineralogical composition and major and trace-elements analysis were performed after each digestionstep using XRPD and ICP-OES techniques. The main zeolite phases identified are phillipsite and chabazite.Results showed that in vitro physical-chemical conditions (pH 2e3 and T 39 C) the release of Pb andother elements from the zeolite structure is extremely low and due to the limited breakdown of thezeolite framework and glass/amorphous matter hydrolysis, by the gastric liquids. This aspect also suggeststhat zeolites, after the total permanence in the animal body digestive tract, can further performtheir important function of cation exchanger, with also relevant relapses on the growth and health of theanimal species, as well as on the environment. Moreover, the contact of zeolite material with liquids ofsmall and large intestine leads to negligible release of undesirable elements, which are far less than thoseenvisaged by the European Regulations.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
