Zinc plays a crucial role in various biological processes, acting as an essential trace element required for numerous physiological functions. In order to optimize zinc supplementation, it is necessary to increase the animal's absorption of this element, and thus reduce its excretion. It is well known that various compounds and substances present in the diet can inhibit zinc absorption. For example, phytates, also called phytic acid, are naturally contained in cereals and have a high attraction for zinc. They can bind to this element, reducing its availability in forming complexes with Zn2+ ions in the digestive tract, hindering their absorption. The insoluble complexes of phytic acid and zinc are called “Zn phytates” and they will be excreted in the faeces. zinc absorption is notably low (less than 20%) due to the presence those antinutritional compounds. The quicker zinc is solubilized into its Zn2+ form, the greater the likelihood of complexation. Optimizing the release rate can improve zinc supplementation by reducing these complexations.
That is exactly what mineral experts TIMAB Magnesium, part of the Rouillier Group, set out to do. With CAPMAG® Zn, they have used magnesium to protect the zinc from forming those early complexes, optimizing its bioavailability and reducing its discharge into the environment. Today, we hear from Dr. Margaux Tansu, the R&D project manager and Zoé Garlatti, swine project manager, about how this unique technology works, about the impressive results it can provide when applied in pigs, and about the company’s future plans for extending the innovation more broadly.
[Feedinfo] How is CAPMAG® Zn more than just a simple blend of MgO and ZnO? What does “atomic-scale protection” mean?
[Dr. Margaux Tansu] CAPMAG® Zn is more than a blend of MgO and ZnO, because the zinc has been integrated into the chemical structure of Zn-Mg-O, at an atomic level. Zinc atoms substituted in at the octahedral sites of the MgO structure. This substitution is taking place at an atomic scale, which is 10-10 smaller than a meter (1 Ångtrom= 0.0000000001 meter). Please find below a representation of the Zn-Mg-O structure of CAPMAG® Zn:
[Feedinfo] There are several other concepts which claim to maximise the bioavailability of minerals. How is your magnesium protection an improvement over other technologies available on the animal nutrition market? What trial data do you have to support this?
[Dr. Margaux Tansu] Yes, there are a huge number of different zinc sources in the market. But for other zinc products, you usually see either an improvement brought about by a change of chemistry – often the approach of organic zinc products – or an improvement of bioavailability by modification of physical parameters – porosity, micronisation, increases to the surface area, etc. CAPMAG® Zn is special because we have worked on both elements. |
We not only have the integration of zinc into MgO that we discussed above, but have also “fine-tuned” the product at an atomic level, ensuring for example that the space between the atoms in the structure is just right. This ensures unique binding properties which have an impact on how the product will interact with other substances. Or, to put it another way, thanks to the physical and chemical control, we have a clearer picture than ever before of exactly how this zinc source will behave in the digestive tract. The atomic protection with the right degree of crystallisation is directly responsible for the maximized bioavailability of zinc.
[Zoé Garlatti] Indeed, this atomic protection is key to adapting Zn’s kinetic of solubilization: the element will be released slowly through the stomach to reach the solubilization’s peak just before entering the intestine, which is the site of absorption for Zn. This will avoid undesirable complexations and as a result, improve bioavailability for intestinal absorption. Two years of in vitro and in vivo investigation validated this concept, and we continue to launch trials to complete our understanding of CAPMAG® Zn’s mode of action. |
In vitro digestion and absorption (Caco-2 cells) models, developed internally in the Roullier Innovation Center, allow us to compare the Zn kinetic of solubilization and absorption of different products. We demonstrated several times the improved bioavailability of CAPMAG® Zn compared with basic inorganic sources of Zn (ZnO, ZnSO4), but also compared with innovative inorganic sources (potentiated ZnO) and organic sources of Zn (Zn-glycinate or Zn-proteinate). In post-weaning piglets, trials have been conducted against different sources of Zn as well. Investigations are running in sows, but initial results are already very encouraging.
[Feedinfo] What kind of improvements in animal performance and/or health have you documented from the use of CAPMAG ZN in piglets?
[Zoé Garlatti] In a trial conducted in Spain, we demonstrated an improvement in FCR, ADG and final weight (up to +2 kg final weight at 70 days of age) on global post-weaning period with CAPMAG® Zn. Our product was compared to nutritional and pharmacological levels of ZnO. All treatments were only given during pre-starter phase. Also, we observed less Zn excreted inside the feces with CAPMAG® Zn, even when feed at a higher level, than with the nutritional ZnO. A trial in Ghent University showed that CAPMAG® Zn allowed a better FCR on the global post-weaning phase again, compared to ZnSO4 and Zn-Proteinate (an organic source of Zn). We saw in this trial a tendency to modulate the microbiota in favour of good bacteria like Lactobacilli. The results showed an improvement in alkaline phosphatase activity, which is a major enzyme implied in a better intestinal integrity, and a better nutrient digestibility. Indeed, with CAPMAG® Zn, dry matter and phosphorus showed a higher digestibility. These results were published during the Swine Research Days (in France), in February 2024. A last trial, conducted in Euronutrition (in France), confirmed an improvement in average daily feed consumption, average daily gain and final weight, considering pre-starter or global post-weaning phase, with CAPMAG® Zn compared to a potentiated ZnO. The conclusion of these trials is that no matter the source we test against our product, it always demonstrates an improvement in growth performances. Concerning intestinal health, we continue to investigate in order to complete our understanding of CAPMAG® Zn’s mechanisms in the gut.
[Feedinfo] Reducing discharge of zinc into the environment is a priority both within the EU and beyond. How much of an impact can CAPMAG® ZN have on this metric? And in which markets does TIMAB Magnesium see the most interest in this application?
[Zoé Garlatti] The enhanced bioavailability of Zn for animals holds the promise of reducing its excretion in feces, a critical aspect given the concern over soil pollution. We have proof that a supplementation with CAPMAG® Zn decreases the amount of Zn excreted in piglets against nutritional levels of basic inorganic Zn sources like ZnO or ZnSO4. It is therefore particularly relevant in the European market, which banned pharmacological levels of ZnO, because CAPMAG® Zn allows better growth performances and less Zn excretion. For countries and continents still using pharmacological levels of ZnO, we also proved that CAPMAG® Zn can maintain growth performances with less zinc supplemented and excreted. Even if Zn pollution is not a topic yet, the supplementation with our product is cheaper than a medicated dose of ZnO. This could encourage people to change their mind and optimize Zn supplementation to preserve the environment.
[Feedinfo] Where are you at in terms of roll-out of CAPMAG® ZN? In what geographical markets and for what species or applications is the product currently available, and what markets/species/applications are you targeting next?
[Zoé Garlatti] CAPMAG® Zn is available and already sold in Europe, USA, Latin and South America, and Oceania. We aim to launch the product in Canada and Asia too. Moreover, as Zn is a key topic for global livestock production, another objective is to prove CAPMAG® Zn’s efficiency in ruminants, poultry and aquaculture, to reach a truly global market.
[Feedinfo] Might we even see the CAPMAG® concept applied to other essential minerals for animal nutrition, beyond zinc?
[Dr. Margaux Tansu] CAPMAG® technology is already patented not only for zinc, but also for copper, iron and manganese. We are pleased to reveal to Feedinfo’s readers that the next trace element available on the market with the CAPMAG® technology will be copper.
[Feedinfo] CAPMAG® was the result of several years of research in solid chemistry and materials. Tell me about the R&D journey that led to CAPMAG® ZN.
[Dr. Margaux Tansu] My entire PhD thesis was dedicated to creating CAPMAG®. Thanks to experts at the Engineering School of Chemistry in Rennes and within TIMAB, we were able to achieve an optimal formulation of CAPMAG® Zn. The main challenges along the R&D journey included:
1) Initiation: We wanted to get the zinc salts and magnesium in the right places in relation to one another.
2) Conception: We needed to work out the process of substituting zinc into MgO.
3) Finalization: We fine-tuned the process to get expected result in the product – a slower release rate and reduced complexation with antinutritional factors like phytate.
But if we look beyond the specific achievements of this research programme, we can also say that the experience gained with the creation of CAPMAG® technology has underlined two very important points about successful innovation more generally. These are:
1) Never stop pushing for a deeper understanding of a product, and
2) Never stop looking for better control of your industrial process.
Our objective at TIMAB Magnesium is to apply this same level of commitment to the development of other innovations to provide ever smarter, higher-performing solutions for the animal nutrition market.
Published in association with TIMAB Magnesium