Mineral Modifications to Purified Diets
In purified diets each mineral is obtained from a discrete primary source allowing very close control over total mineral content. We can easily formulate a "specific-mineral-deficient" and "no specific-mineral-added" diet, achieving a diet sufficiently low in a particular mineral to produce animals exhibiting the characteristic signs of deficiency by omitting the specific mineral from the formulation*.
Usually this deficiency can be accomplished simply by omitting that element from the mineral mixture used in the formulation. Sometimes, however, a researcher must take additional steps in the laboratory to ensure that the animal does not ingest the mineral from sources other than the diet. This may include checking the water supply or limiting the animal's exposure to the cage. In extreme cases even the air in the room must be filtered.
Phosphorus is one example of a mineral for which dietary levels may be altered. Low phosphorus diets may be manufactured in two ways. One way is by eliminating all phosphates from the mineral mixture. Using this method, the diet will contain a phosphorus level of approximately 0.2%. The second way is by eliminating the phosphates from the mineral mixture and substituting blood fibrin for casein as the protein source. This method typically results in a phosphorous level of approximately 0.07%. Similar modifications can be made with other minerals.
Precise open formulas specify the exact description and amount of each ingredient, including all minerals and vitamins. Some vitamin and mineral mixes are available on-line; we will provide you with any purified diet vitamin or mineral mix on request. Contact us.
Listed below are just a few of the hundreds of purified mineral-deficient diets available. We have the expertise to modify any diet with any specified level of a particular mineral. These diets shown are for rodents; mineral-modified purified diets are available for any species of laboratory animal.
Examples of Mineral-Deficient Purified Diets –
|
|
TestDiet® # |
|
Low Potassium Diet (0.01%) |
5850 |
|
Low Calcium Diet (0.02%) |
5855 |
|
Low Phosphate Diet (0 .2%) |
5857 |
|
Low Phosphate Diet with Blood Fibrin (0.07%) |
5857-2 |
|
Low Iron Diet (20-25 ppm) |
5859 |
|
Low Fluoride Diet (< 2 ppm) |
5861 |
|
Low Manganese Diet |
5863 |
|
Low Magnesium Diet (80 ppm) |
5865 |
|
Low Chloride Diet |
5880 |
|
Low Sodium Diet (0.03% Na) |
5881 |
|
Low Sodium/Low Chloride Diet (0.03% Na; 0.055% Cl) |
5882-5 |
|
High Sodium Diet (3.15% Na) |
5883 |
|
Low Selenium Diet (< 0.035 ppm) |
5884 |
|
Low Zinc Diet (8-10 ppm)--Casein Base |
5886 |
|
Zinc Control Diet (20 ppm)--Egg White Base |
5887 |
|
Low Zinc Diet (1-2 ppm)--Egg White Base |
5888 |
|
Low Copper Diet (< 2 ppm) |
5890 |
See also:
Salt Modifications to Purified Diets (Sodium)
Salt Modifications to LabDiet® Formulas (Sodium)
Mineral Modifications to LabDiet® Formulas
*Note: Because of trace amounts of minerals from other ingredients, often it is quite difficult if not impossible for us to create an absolutely "specific-mineral-free" diet. Even if the amounts of such mineral may be below measurable levels, we would be reluctant to certify that it was absolutely free of that specific mineral.
