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Effect of vermiculite feed additive on the chemical, mineral, and amino acid compositions of quail meat

This study evaluated the effect of vermiculite (natural mineral) feed additive at 3% and 5% inclusion rates on chemical, mineral, and amino acid compositions of quail meat, and specifically measured Cd and Pb residues in pectoral muscle.

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Overview

This study evaluated the effect of vermiculite (natural mineral) feed additive at 3% and 5% inclusion rates on chemical, mineral, and amino acid compositions of quail meat, and specifically measured Cd and Pb residues in pectoral muscle. Control quail showed Cd at 0.0008 mg/kg and Pb at 0.0012 mg/kg in muscle — both below Kazakh maximum permissible concentrations (MPC: Cd 0.05 mg/kg; Pb 0.5 mg/kg). Arsenic and mercury were not detected in any group. Vermiculite supplementation at 5% significantly reduced Cd by ~21% and Pb by ~25% relative to controls. The study provides baseline heavy metal residue data for quail pectoral muscle in a Kazakhstan commercial farming context.

Key numbers

  • n = 35 birds per group (control, 3% vermiculite, 5% vermiculite); pectoral muscle sampled at slaughter after 120 days
  • Control group Cd: 0.0008 ± 0.00002 mg/kg (MPC: 0.05 mg/kg; all groups well below MPC)
  • Control group Pb: 0.0012 ± 0.0001 mg/kg (MPC: 0.5 mg/kg; all groups well below MPC)
  • 3% vermiculite group Cd: 0.0006 ± 0.00002 mg/kg (p ≤ 0.05 reduction)
  • 5% vermiculite group Cd: 0.0006 ± 0.00001 mg/kg (21.3% reduction vs. control)
  • 3% vermiculite Pb: 0.0010 ± 0.0001 mg/kg
  • 5% vermiculite Pb: 0.0009 ± 0.0001 mg/kg (~25% reduction vs. control, p ≤ 0.05)
  • Hg: not found in any group (MPC 0.03 mg/kg)
  • As: not found in any group (MPC 0.1 mg/kg)
  • Method: KVANT-Z.ETA atomic absorption spectrometer; AAS
  • Journal: Veterinary World

Methods (brief)

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using KVANT-Z.ETA spectrometer; muffle furnace ashing sample preparation (250°C to 450°C, 10–25 h). Pectoral muscle of quail. Kazakhstan (Almaty region).

Implications

Certification: Quail muscle Cd and Pb baseline concentrations in commercial Kazakhstan farming are very low (well below any regulatory MPC). Vermiculite as a dietary additive reduces Cd and Pb residues, potentially relevant for suppliers seeking contamination reduction levers in poultry production. Courses: Illustrates how feed additives can modulate heavy metal accumulation in edible poultry tissue; also provides a useful baseline for quail meat heavy metal concentrations. App: Quail meat baseline Cd and Pb values for Kazakhstan; Hg and As not detected, providing data-gap context. Microbiome: Not applicable.

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