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| Micronutrients
TBCC® Overview |
Copper is an essential trace element for all animals. Tribasic
copper chloride (TBCC) can be thought of as a hybrid between
copper chloride (strongly acidic) and copper hydroxide (strongly
alkaline), in which three-fourths of the acidity has been
neutralized. The result is a basic salt that is totally insoluble
in water and yet very easily and quickly soluble in an animal's
gut. This compound is far less destructive in a feed formulation
than an acid salt because of its low water solubility (and
thus hygroscopicity) and because it doesn't dissociate to
create copper cations that promote oxidation. TBCC is therefore
highly bioavailable, unreactive in a food or feed mixture,
and provides improved stability of vitamins, fats and oils
in feeds as well as in animal tissues.
These properties are in direct contrast to an acid salt such
as copper sulfate. Copper sulfate is extremely hygroscopic
(as shown in the following chart) and promotes oxidation by
(1) attracting water to its surface; (2) dissociating into
copper cations and sulfate anions; and thus (3) providing
a "hot spot" for electron transfers.
The following data compares Micronutrients TBCC® with feed
grade copper sulfate pentahydrate:
| |
TBCC |
CuSO4·5H2O |
| Hygroscopicity
(% wt. Gain in 24 hrs. @90% R.H. |
0.43 |
4.7
- 6.6 |
| Water
Solubility (gms/liter) |
0.06 |
310 |
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Background
What began as a research project undertaken by Heritage Technologies,
LLC in 1992 to develop a process for production of an improved
animal feed ingredient has evolved into a world-class manufacturing
plant producing over 25% of the copper used by commercial
animal production in the United States today.
Large quantities of copper-bearing liquid feedstocks have
been readily available in the form of two types of spent etching
solutions generated from the manufacture of electronic printed
wiring boards (PWB's). One of the solutions is acidic, consisting
of cupric chloride and some free hydrochloric acid, known
in the industry as "cupric". The other is a solution of copper
tetrammine dichloride, known as "ammo". These two solutions
are reacted to produce a copper compound with the apparent
empirical formula of Cu2(OH)3Cl.
To overcome the natural tendency for this reaction to form
a gel-like precipitate with poor physical properties, Heritage
developed a crystallization process that grows the specific
compound now known as TBCC. The product is easily washed,
resulting in a free-flowing, non-dusty product. Impurities
are naturally excluded during the crystallization process.
TBCC has a particle size of 60-100 microns, optimum size for
its specific density, enabling thorough and even distribution
in a feed mixture.
Animal feeding trials were performed using chickens, pigs
and cattle to demonstrate efficacy in animal feed applications.
Positive results led to approval by the U.S. FDA and the creation
of a new official ingredient listing for basic copper chloride
by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO
57.154)
Research Studies Published or Presented at Animal Science
Meetings
Early in the development project, laboratory samples were
used in studies at the University of Florida to confirm efficacy
in animal feed applications. Three studies were run in 1992,
1993 and 1994. The first two were chick feeding experiments
designed to investigate how Micronutrients TBCC® compared
to copper sulfate for bioavailability and safety, while the
third evaluated the salts for prooxidant activity. The results
showed TBCC to have higher relative bioavailability, equivalent
safety and much lower prooxidant activity.
A series of three feeding trials in pigs were conducted in
1994 and 1995 and reported by Cromwell, et al. The third was
a large trial in a research facility using commercial production
conditions and showed that TBCC outperformed copper sulfate
on rate of weight gain
Several research studies have been done in cattle at North
Carolina State University. Two of these have been reported
by Spears, et al. These have shown that Micronutrients TBCC®
helps to more reliably maintain optimum copper status even
when antagonists such as sulfur and molybdenum are present
in the diet. This is achieved because the basic copper chloride
salt is insoluble at the neutral pH that prevails in the rumen,
and thus remains available for subsequent absorption rather
than being precipitated as refractory copper thiomolybdate.
Most recently, a series of three studies done in broiler chickens
under various levels of disease stress confirmed better bioavailability,
rate of weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and vitamin
preservation when using TBCC as compared to copper sulfate.
Hooge, et al, has reported this work in three different presentations.
Summary
- Micronutrients
TBCC® has very high relative bioavailability, with research
results ranging from 106-122% that of feed grade copper
sulfate.
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Swine and poultry studies have demonstrated that superior
performance can be achieved with less copper.
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Because it is virtually insoluble in water, TBCC: 1) does
not absorb moisture or promote oxidative destruction of
vitamins and other feed ingredients; and 2) achieves rumen
bypass.
- Consistent
60-100 micron particle size results in a free-flowing,
dust-free product.
- Because
it contains 58% copper relative to copper sulfate's 25.2%,
TBCC reduces handling and inventory requirements, cuts
bag litter by 50%, and makes more space available to the
nutritionist within a formulation.
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