| Popis: |
The commercialization of mineral supplements for cattle in Brazil has grown a lot since the last decade. Although it is necessary to use raw materials without contaminants, it is possible that some manufacturers still use cheaper sources of phosphorus. This situation can serve heavy metals in the ready mineral mixture, which in the medium term, can poison animals. For this reason, we measured vanadium concentrations in samples of mineral mixtures used in cattle feed. Vanadium concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Of the 22 analyzed samples, 17 had values greater than 50 ppm (ranging between 66 to 128 ppm), which is the maximum concentration recommended by the National Research Council and the Association of American Feed Control Officials Incorporated. These findings show the necessity for careful industrial monitoring because some mineral mixtures contain sufficient vanadium to cause toxicity in animals. |
