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Sodium
and chlorine / Sodium sources
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1.
Functions
About 60 % of sodium is located in the soft tissues and body
fluids; 40 % is present in the skeleton and bones. Sodium is
a basic mineral element in blood serum and is the main cation
regulating blood pH. Chlorine represents two thirds of acidic
ions in blood. Sodium and chlorine are important for maintaining
osmotic pressure, acid-base balance and exchange mechanism through
the cell membranes (sodium pump).
Sodium also ensures distribution of water throughout the body;
moreover it plays a role in nerve impulse transmission, muscles
contraction and the rhythmic maintenance of heart action; sodium
is also necessary for the assimilation in the small intestine
of amino acids and mono - saccharides. Chlorine is a component
of hydrochloric acid, indispensable for digestion. Finally,
sodium chloride is important for appetite, feed intake, digestion,
in milk secretion, growth, reproduction, resistance to heat
and diseases.
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2.
Main sources of Sodium
Since both Na and Cl are indispensable for life, and sodium
chloride is widely distributed in nature and economic, common
salt sodium chloride is by far the main source.
Other sodium sources are sodium bicarbonate and sodium sulphate
anhydrous for more specific uses.
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3.
Quality parameters
3.1 Granulometry
The optimal particle size and density depends of the use in
premix, mineral feed stuffs, complementary or complete feeds.
3.2
Purity
Minimum sodium content; labelling must indicate Na content (council
directive 96/25/EC).
The content of undesirable substances must be conform to the
EU directives
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4.
Criteria for selection
Na content and percentage insoluble in HCl
Humidity
Granularity and bulk density
Treatment with anti-caking agents like E 530 magnesia or E 554
sodium aluminium silicate or E551 silica at max. 20 g / kg,
or crystal modifiers like E536 potassium ferrocyanide or E535
sodium ferrocyanide at max. 80 mg/kg
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