Effects of dietary phytic acid on digestibility of main nutrients and mineral absorption in mink [Mustela vison]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of dietary phytic acid (IP6) on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of main nutrients and apparent absorption of minerals in mink (Mustela vison). A basal moist diet consisting of fish meal, fish oil and wheat starch was added at different concentrations of soluble sodium phytate, thus obtaining six diets with graded levels of IP6 (0-19.9 g IP6 kg dry matter-1). Each diet was fed to four adult male mink kept in individual cages. There were no significant effects of IP6 on the ATTD of crude protein, fat, starch or energy, whereas the apparent absorption of copper and magnesium was significantly reduced with increasing concentration of IP6. Thus, as observed in other monogastric animals, we conclude that dietary IP6 could impair mineral status in mink, but may not affect digestibility of energy-yielding nutrients.