Cobalt in feed: A first survey in Italy

IF 3.6 3区医学 Q2 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology Pub Date : 2025-04-03 DOI:10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127637

Chiara Marchese, Rosa Avolio, Alessandra Griglione, Paolo Palmegiano, Anna Riva, Stefania Gavinelli, Paola Brizio, Maria Cesarina Abete, Stefania Squadrone

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Cobalt (Co) is an essential trace element for ruminants, which are able to synthesise vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in their digestive tract. Vitamin B12, particularly in ruminants, appears to play a role in maintaining the proper functioning of ruminal microflora. Cobalt salts have been commonly used in animal nutrition for many years and are currently authorized in the European Union as feed additives. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of cobalt as additive in ruminant feed, analysed as such, and to assess its levels.

Methods

Complementary feed samples for dairy cows, bulls/steers, calves, for which no specific category of cattle is indicated were collected in different Italian regions and analysed between 2018 and 2022. Samples were homogenized and subjected to microwave acid digestion. Co was quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS).

Results

The highest cobalt levels were observed in bulls/steers’ feed, while dairy cows’ feeds display lower levels than the other groups. Co concentrations were compared with the values reported on the labels of the complementary feeds examined to verify compliance to Regulation (EC) No 767/2009: 7.4 % of the samples exceeded the allowed tolerance in 2018, 7.1 % in 2019, while from 2020 to 2022 100 % of samples were compliant.

Conclusions

The analysis of cobalt levels in ruminants feed revealed significant differences in supplementation in the examined categories. As regards the control of the labelling, the analysis of complementary feed showed an improvement trend over the five-year period considered, demonstrating the effectiveness of official controls.

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来源期刊

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 医学-内分泌学与代谢

CiteScore

6.60

自引率

2.90%

发文量

202

审稿时长

85 days

期刊介绍： The journal provides the reader with a thorough description of theoretical and applied aspects of trace elements in medicine and biology and is devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge about trace elements and trace element species. Trace elements play essential roles in the maintenance of physiological processes. During the last decades there has been a great deal of scientific investigation about the function and binding of trace elements. The Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology focuses on the description and dissemination of scientific results concerning the role of trace elements with respect to their mode of action in health and disease and nutritional importance. Progress in the knowledge of the biological role of trace elements depends, however, on advances in trace elements chemistry. Thus the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology will include only those papers that base their results on proven analytical methods. Also, we only publish those articles in which the quality assurance regarding the execution of experiments and achievement of results is guaranteed.