Organic elements such as arbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen make up 96% of the animal body. The share of cations and anions is 3.5%, and the rest includes other minerals. The share of calcium in total minerals is 49%, while this value is 27% for phosphorus. The remaining 24% belongs to other minerals. The average amounts of macro and micro minerals in the animal body are shown in Table 4.4.
Average Amounts of Macro and Micro Minerals Found in Animal Body.
| Macro minerals | (g/kg) | Micro minerals | (mg/kg; ppm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ca | 15 | Fe | 20-80 |
| P | 10 | Zn | 10-50 |
| Mg | 0,4 | I | 0,3-0,6 |
| Na | 1,6 | Cu | 1-5 |
| K | 2 | Mn | 0,2-0,5 |
| Cı | 1,1 | Mo | 1-4 |
| S | 1,6 | Co | 0,02-0,1 |
| Se | 1-2 | ||
| Cr | 0,08 |
Contrary to many nutrients, the functions of mineral substances that cannot be synthesized in the body in animal organisms can be listed as follows;
1. They are structural components of tissues and organs. In this context, they enter the structure of organic compounds such as protein and fat, which participate in the formation of muscles, organs, blood cells and other soft tissues.
2. They form the building materials of the bones and therefore the skeletal system. They provide hardness and strength to bones. In other words, they give structural support to the body.
3. Macro minerals fulfill a physicochemical task by adjusting the osmotic pressure in the body. A significant portion of Ca, Mg and P and Na, K and Cl are found in body fluids and soft tissues as electrolytes. Blood has an important role in regulating osmotic pressure.
4. They adjust the acid-base balance in the body. Some of the minerals such as Ca, Na, K, and Mg are effective in the formation of alkali, while others such as P, Cl, and S are effective in the formation of acids. Thus, the pH of the blood and tissues remains at a constant level. Decreases and increases that may occur in blood pH bring along various phenomena.
5. Minerals play a role in the fulfillment of important functions in metabolism by entering into the structure of some enzymes, vitamins and hormones.
6. Some mineral salts are used as buffers to control the H ion concentration in the body. Carbonate and phosphate are the most suitable buffer systems.
7. Minerals are also effective in stimulating muscles and nerves.
8. These are the results of studies conducted in recent years that some micro-minerals support the immune system.
Apart from these general functions, minerals also have one or more specific functions. Minerals act against each other. Therefore, the importance of finding a suitable balance between minerals stems from this. In this respect, it can be argued that no mineral acts alone in the organism. An example of this is the effect of Ca and P on bone and tooth formation and the interrelationship of Fe, Cu and Co in hemoglobin synthesis.
Classification of Minerals
The chart of classification of minerals is helpful in determining the nutritional role of these elements. Minerals needed in high amounts are called macro minerals, whereas those needed in low amounts are called micro minerals (trace minerals). In this context, those that require more than 100 ppm (parts per million) are called macrominerals. Those required below this amount are called microminerals (trace minerals). On the other hand, those that are above 50 ppm (mg/kg) per kilogram of lean body weight are defined as macrominerals and those that are found in lower amounts are defined as microminerals. Macro minerals are expressed as a percentage of the ration, microminerals as ppm or sometimes ppb. There are 24 minerals needed by various animal species, in other words exogenous. Minerals that are absolutely necessary to be taken with tests made on at least one animal species; It has been demonstrated by tests that some of the microminerals reported in this chart are essential for only some animal species. However, it is known that Cr, Co, Cu, I, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn are essential for all animal species. Macro and Essential for Farm Animals
Macro minerals | Micro minerals (Trace Minerals) | ||
| Kalsiyum (Ca) | Manganez (Mn) | Krom (Cr) | Silisyum (Si) |
| Fosfor (P) | Demir (Fe) | Flor (Fl) | Kalay (Sn) |
| Magnezyum (Mg) | Bakır (Cu) | Kurşun (Pb) | Nikel (Ni) |
| Potasyum (K) | Çinko (Zn) | Vanadyum (V) | Brom (Br) |
| Sodyum (Na) | İyot (I) | Arsenik (As) | |
| Kükürt (S) | Selenyum (Se) | Molibden (Mo) | |
| Klor (Cl) | Kobalt (Co) | Lityum (Li) |
Minerals are also classified as cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, and Zn) and anions or those in the anionic group (Cl, I, Phosphate PO4, Molybdate MoO4). Apart from these, they are classified on the basis of their valence numbers and their positions in the periodic table of atoms. Such useful classifications describe the physical and chemical properties of the mineral in feed. For example, monovalent cations (K and Na) have high absorption properties and have important relationships between each other.
