Effect of Phytic Acid on the Availability of Zinc in Amino Acid and Casein Diets Fed to Chciks

Abstract

Twenty-four 11-day-old New Hampshire × Columbian cross male chicks were used in a 12-day growth and mineral balance randomized block experiment to compare the effect, on the availability of dietary zinc, of adding phytic acid to an amino acid diet with that of adding phytic acid to a casein diet. Phytic acid decreased the availability of zinc in the absence of protein, with amino acids serving as the nitrogen source, to as great an extent as when casein was present in the diet.