Novel zinc sources as antimicrobial growth promoters for monogastric animals: a review

The essentiality of zinc for animals has been recognized over 80 years. Zinc is an essential trace element that is a component of many enzymes and is associated with the various hormones. Apart from the nutritional function, zinc has antimicrobial property and often be supplemented in diets in the quantities greater than which is required to meet the nutritional requirement, especially for weaning pigs. This review will focus on the application of pharmacological zinc and its mechanisms which may be responsible for the effects of zinc on performance and health of monogastric animals. Various novel sources of zinc in non-ruminant animal production will also be discussed. These should assist in more precisely formulating feed to maximize the production performance and to maintain the health condition of monogastric animals.