SANTOS, R. F.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5463894049143312; SANTOS, Ramon Ferreira dos.
Abstract:
Minerals derived from organic sources, such as seaweed meal (Lithothamnium calcareum),
present greater solubility, and consequently greater bioavailability and absorption of its
components, and the use of these, in appropriate concentrations in the diet of ruminants, may
lead to an increase in digestibility of fiber, while maintaining a positive effect on animal
performance. The research was carried out at Campina Grande Federal University (UFCG), in
the Center of Health and Rural Technology (CSTR), Campus the Patos-PB, where 16 caprines
were used, all male, castrated and with initial weight of 15 kg, previously identified, weighed
and medicated against endo and ectoparasites, animals housed in metabolic cages, with
feeders and individual drinkers, distributed in a randomized block design with four
replications. The animals received diets formulated based on the NRC (2007) for weight gain
of 200 g day-1, with treatments based on different concentrations of Lithothamnium
calcareum of the experimental diets, which consisted of T1: = 0,0%, T2 = 0.7%; T3 = 1.4%
and T4 = 2.1%. The inclusion of the increasing concentrations of L. calcareum did not affect
nitrogen metabolism, thus confirming that there was no limitation in the consumption of the
animals. Also, no decrease in dry matter intake was observed, confirming even more that the
inclusion of L. calcareum did not change the consumption of the animals. As for phosphorus,
there were no significant changes, so that phosphorus metabolism could have been altered if
the inclusion of L. calcareum and consequently calcium had triggered an excess of calcium in
animal metabolism. There was a significant increase in calcium intake, and consequently in
calcium retention and absorption, proving that L. calcareum is an unconventional, organic and
renewable source that presents good bioavailability and solubility for the animal organism.
The inclusion of L. calcareum in finishing goat diets did not affect the balance of nitrogen and
phosphorus, and promoted greater absorption in 83.11% and greater retention in 87.71% of
calcium in the animal organism.