TRACE ELEMENTS

Abstract

A trace element solution comprises at least the following metals: zinc; manganese; selenium; and copper; and which comprises a concentration of the metals of at least 90 mg/ml. The solution may comprise the following concentrations: at least 60 mg/ml zinc; at least 10 mg/ml manganese; at least 5 mg/ml selenium; and at least 15 mg/ml copper. The solution may comprise chromium, iodine and chromium.

Claims

1. A trace element solution with a concentration of the metals of at least 90 mg/ml, said trace element solution: (a) manganese carbonate dissolved in water wherein manganese sulphate and sodium carbonate are not used in situ manufacture of the manganese carbonate; (b) zinc; (c) copper; and (d) selenium, wherein the trace element solution has a concentration of metals of at least 90 mg/ml.

2. The trace element solution of claim 1, zinc is present in an amount of 60 mg/ml.

3. The trace element solution of claim 2, further comprising ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS).

4. The trace element solution of claim 1, further comprising ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS).

5. The trace element solution of claim 1, further comprising chloro-cresol.

6. The trace element solution of claim 1, further comprising chromium.

7. The trace elements solution of claim 1, wherein the metals have the following concentrations: (a) at least 10 mg/ml manganese; (b) at least 5 mg/ml selenium; and (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper.

8. The trace elements solution of claim 1, wherein the ratio of zinc to manganese is at least 2:1.

9. The trace elements solution of claim 1, wherein the ratio of zinc to manganese is at least 4:1.

10. The trace elements solution of claim 1, wherein the ratio of zinc to copper is at least 2:1 or 4:1.

11. The trace elements solution of claim 1, wherein the ratio of zinc to selenium is at least 4:1 or 12:1.

12. The trace element solution of claim 3, wherein at least one of the metals is provided in the form of an ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA) complex and/or an ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) complex.

13. The trace element solution of claim 12, wherein the EDTA source is EDTA acid, disodium EDTA, tetra-sodium EDTA, calcium EDTA, potassium EDTA and/or any other EDTA source.

14. A trace element solution with a concentration of the metals of at least 90 mg/ml, said trace element solution: (a) manganese produced from manganese carbonate dissolved in water wherein manganese sulphate and sodium carbonate are not used in situ manufacture of the manganese carbonate; (b) zinc; (c) copper; and (d) selenium, wherein the trace element solution has a concentration of metals of at least 90 mg/ml.

16. The trace element solution of claim 14, zinc is present in an amount of 60 mg/ml.

17. The trace element solution of claim 16, further comprising ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS).

18. The trace element solution of claim 14, further comprising chromium.

19. The trace elements solution of claim 14, wherein the metals have the following concentrations: (a) at least 10 mg/ml manganese; (b) at least 5 mg/ml selenium; and (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper.

20. The trace elements solution of claim 14, wherein the ratio of zinc to manganese is at least 2:1.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE

[0065] The invention will now be described by way of an example of injectable solutions in accordance with the invention.

[0066] The example relates to a method to prepare a trace element solution predominantly to be used for cattle and includes the mineral elements zinc, manganese, selenium and copper.

[0067] The method enables preparation of 25 litres of the solution containing at least 60 mg Zn, 10 mg Mn, 5 mg Se, and 15 mg Cu per ml.

[0068] In a 25 litre plastic container, water is heated to a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius so that the process can proceed at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius.

[0069] 0.556 Kilogram of manganese carbonate is added to the heated water whilst mixing.

[0070] 1.890 Kilogram of zinc oxide is added to the mixture.

[0071] 0.700 Kilogram of copper carbonate is added to the mixture slowly to form a liquid mixture.

[0072] In a separate container 10.17 kilogram EDTA and 2.70 kilogram of NaOH are mixed to form a dry mixture.

[0073] The dry mixture is slowly added to the liquid mixture to prevent excessive frothing and allow the reaction to complete and to leave a clear blue solution.

[0074] The temperature of the solution may reach 100 degrees Celsius and is allowed to cool to 50 degrees Celsius.

[0075] 26.25 g of Chloro-cresol is added to the solution and is stirred until dissolved.

[0076] The solution is then cooled to room temperature.

[0077] The recorded pH of the solution is now 4.656.

[0078] 0.303 Kilogram of Na2SeO.sub.3 is added.

[0079] The recorded pH of the solution is now 5.115.

[0080] The pH is adjusted to 6.860 by adding a 50% NaOH solution.

[0081] The solution is now diluted with water to obtain the required weight, namely 1.300 kg/l.

[0082] The resultant trace element solution has a composition as follows: [0083] (a) 60 mg/ml of zinc; [0084] (b) 10 mg/ml manganese; [0085] (c) 5 mg/ml selenium; and [0086] (d) 15 mg/ml copper.

[0087] The invention therefore provides a trace element solution which is tissue friendly, i.e. is not damaging or irritant to the tissue of animals and which comprises zinc, manganese, selenium and copper and at a concentration of the metals of at least 90 mg/ml.

[0088] The trace elements in solution are in a scientifically formulated ratio according to the post-absorption requirements of the animals.

[0089] As an example the trace element solution comprises [0090] (a) at least 60 mg/ml of zinc; [0091] (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese; [0092] (c) at least 5 mg/ml selenium; and [0093] (d) at least 15 mg/ml copper.

[0094] The solution may furthermore comprise at least 5 mg/ml chromium and at least 50-300 mg/ml iodine.

[0095] The method of preparing a trace element solution in accordance with the invention thus enables the production of a solution comprising an adequate trace mineral concentration so that a 5 to 10 millilitre injection can make a significant impact on the trace mineral status of the animal and an injection is provided at a rate of between 1 ml per 50 kg bodyweight (BW) and 1 ml per 100 kg BW, i.e. a practically applicable injectable supplement and a product that can improve the trace mineral status of an animal is provided. This is important as livestock producers will only inject livestock if a real benefit can be demonstrated. The subcutaneous injection is the preferred route to minimize tissue damage, but intra-muscular injection can also be used.