Zeolites in poultry and swine production

EnglishZeolites are minerals that have intriguing properties such as water absorption, ion adsorption and cation exchange capacity. There are approximately 80 species of natural zeolites recognized and hundreds of artificial zeolites, which have been researched in several fields. Due to their chemical characteristics, zeolites have great potential for use in animal production, especially in poultry and swine farms, as food additives, litter amendment and treatment of residues, with direct and indirect effects on performance, yield and quality of carcass, ambience of farm sheds and reduction of environmental pollution. Key words: ammonia; moisture; pollution; poultry; swine portuguesZeolitas sao minerais que possuem propriedades peculiares como absorcao de agua, adsorcao de ions e capacidade de troca cationica. Existem aproximadamente 80 especies de zeolitas naturais reconhecidas e centenas de zeolitas artificiais, as quais vem sendo pesquisadas nas mais diversas areas do conhecimento. Frente as suas caracteristicas quimicas, as zeolitas apresentam grande potencial de utilizacao na producao animal, principalmente nas criacoes de aves e suinos, como aditivos alimentares, condicionadores de cama e no tratamento de residuos, com efeitos diretos e indiretos sobre desempenho zootecnico, rendimento e qualidade de carcaca, ambiencia dos galpoes de criacao e na reducao da poluicao ambiental. Palavras-chave: amonia; avicultura; poluicao; suinocultura; umidade