Natural anti-caking, toxin-binding support for modern poultry operations
Clinoptilolite zeolite is a naturally occurring, micro-porous aluminosilicate that has been studied for decades in poultry, swine, dairy, beef, small ruminants and pets. In the United States, certain forms of clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin have been notified to FDA as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use as an anti-caking agent in animal feed at low inclusion levels, and are recognized in AAFCO ingredient definitions.
In addition, a large research base shows further potential benefits, including toxin binding, gut health, and overall performance, when clinoptilolite is used appropriately as part of a complete nutrition and management program.
What Is Clinoptilolite Zeolite?
Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite – a crystalline aluminosilicate mineral with a rigid honeycomb framework full of microscopic channels and cages. These pores carry a permanent negative charge and a high cation-exchange capacity (CEC), allowing clinoptilolite to:
- Adsorb and hold water
- Bind positively charged ions such as ammonium (NH₄⁺), certain heavy metals, and some polar organic molecules
- Act as a physical “sponge” and molecular sieve in the feed and in the digestive tract
Because it is largely insoluble, not systemically absorbed, and excreted in the feces, clinoptilolite can provide its functional effects in the gut and litter without significant transfer into meat, milk, or eggs at the inclusion levels tested in safety studies.
Regulatory Status in the United States
GRAS/AAFCO – anti-caking & flow agent
In the U.S., clinoptilolite’s regulatory “approved” role is as a technological feed additive (anti-caking / free-flow agent) at defined inclusion rates for specified species. Any explicit disease-prevention or therapeutic claims would generally push the product into animal drug territory and require separate approval.
- FDA has issued a “no questions” letter for clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin, notified as GRAS for use as an anti-caking agent in diets for cattle, swine, goats, sheep, broiler chickens, turkeys for meat, cats and dogs.
- FDA recognizes “clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin” as the common or usual name in the AAFCO ingredient definition; companies must follow that definition, including species and use-level limitations, when labeling feed.
- FDA GRAS defines this aluminosilicate and related aluminosilicates as anti-caking agents in animal feed, typically up to 2% of the ration.
- OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) notes that zeolite in organic livestock feed is permitted only as a flow agent/anti-caking treatment, not as a declared mineral supplement, and must comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
How Clinoptilolite Works in Animal Feed
From a feed-technology standpoint, clinoptilolite delivers several functions:
- Anti-caking & flowability
- Its porous structure adsorbs moisture and physically separates particles, helping keep mash or premixes dry, loose and free-flowing during storage, transport and augering.
- Its porous structure adsorbs moisture and physically separates particles, helping keep mash or premixes dry, loose and free-flowing during storage, transport and augering.
- Moisture and litter management
- When used in feed and/or bedding in poultry systems, clinoptilolite has been shown to reduce litter moisture and improve litter quality, which is directly tied to bird welfare, footpad health and barn air quality.
- When used in feed and/or bedding in poultry systems, clinoptilolite has been shown to reduce litter moisture and improve litter quality, which is directly tied to bird welfare, footpad health and barn air quality.
- Ammonia and odor control (via cation exchange)
- The mineral’s negative framework binds ammonium ions (NH₄⁺), helping to reduce free ammonia in litter and barns, which may improve respiratory comfort and reduce odor complaints in poultry and swine facilities.
- The mineral’s negative framework binds ammonium ions (NH₄⁺), helping to reduce free ammonia in litter and barns, which may improve respiratory comfort and reduce odor complaints in poultry and swine facilities.
- Toxin & metabolite binding (research-based)
- In vitro and in vivo data indicate that clinoptilolite can bind aflatoxins and some other mycotoxins, and may sequester certain heavy metals and biogenic amines under gastrointestinal conditions.
- This adsorption is selective and toxin-dependent, and is best viewed as one tool within a comprehensive mycotoxin-control program (quality grain, monitoring, and, where needed, specialized binders).
- In vitro and in vivo data indicate that clinoptilolite can bind aflatoxins and some other mycotoxins, and may sequester certain heavy metals and biogenic amines under gastrointestinal conditions.
- Physiological support (research-based)
Multiple trials in poultry report improved antioxidant markers, modulated immune parameters, and better blood chemistry profiles when clinoptilolite is included at low percentages of the diet, without adverse effects on performance.
Specific Use Cases & Health-Related Benefits
Although labels in the U.S. must focus on clinoptilolite’s role as an anti-caking / free-flow agent, published research describes a broader set of potential health-related benefits:
- Poultry (broilers, turkeys, occasionally layers in research)
- Studies in broilers show that adding natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) to diets at 0.5–2% or in litter can improve litter dryness, lower ammonia, and in some cases improve feed conversion ratio and body-weight gain, especially under mycotoxin or high-ammonia challenge conditions.
- Studies in broilers show that adding natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) to diets at 0.5–2% or in litter can improve litter dryness, lower ammonia, and in some cases improve feed conversion ratio and body-weight gain, especially under mycotoxin or high-ammonia challenge conditions.
When aflatoxin-contaminated diets are used experimentally, clinoptilolite supplementation has been reported to alleviate growth depression, reduce liver enlargement and improve serum enzyme profiles, indicating partial protection against aflatoxicosis.
Overall, the literature supports clinoptilolite as a safe technological additive with potential to support gut environment, toxin management and overall resilience, especially when diets are exposed to environmental mycotoxin loads.
Core benefits
1. Anti-caking and free-flowing feed
- Helps keep mash, premixes and complete feeds dry and non-clumping during storage, transport and bin discharge
- Improves flowability in hoppers, augers and feed lines, reducing bridging and downtime.
2. Moisture control
- Adsorbs free moisture in feed, premixes and bedding materials
- Supports more consistent pellet and mash quality and reduces localized mold growth risk in storage when used correctly as part of a broader quality system.
3. Ammonia & odor reduction support
- Binds ammonium ions in litter and manure, which can help lower free ammonia and reduce odors in barns, improving comfort for both animals and workers.
4. Proven safety at approved inclusion levels
- FDA’s GRAS review and additional toxicology data show no adverse effects at the approved inclusion rate of up to 1% in diets for cattle, sheep, goats, broilers, turkeys, cats and dogs, with very high no-observed-adverse-effect levels in rodent studies.
- Clinoptilolite is essentially unabsorbed, stable in the GI tract, and excreted in feces, minimizing residue concerns.
5. Natural, mined mineral compatible with organic systems (when listed)
Additional benefits
Toxin Binding & Detox Support
- High in vitro adsorption for aflatoxins B₁ and G₂ has been reported, often above 60–80%, although results vary by source, processing, and test conditions.PMC+1
- In vivo trials in poultry, pigs and other species show that clinoptilolite inclusion can lessen the impact of aflatoxicosis – improving weight gain, liver histology, enzyme profiles and survival compared with unprotected, contaminated diets.
- Some data suggest binding of zearalenone and ochratoxin A, with reduced toxin excretion in urine and feces, though effects are generally weaker and more variable than for aflatoxins.
Gut Health & Immune Modulation
- Broiler and pig studies report improved intestinal morphology, more favorable microbiota profiles, and modulation of immune markers, suggesting a more stable gut environment at inclusion rates up to ~3%.
- Some trials show enhanced antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative stress markers in blood and tissues, which may contribute to better resilience under heat stress or disease challenge.
Performance & Efficiency
- Multiple studies in broilers and other farm animals report numerical or statistically significant improvements in feed conversion, weight gain and carcass parameters when clinoptilolite is used, particularly under stress or toxin challenge.
- These effects are not universal; some trials show neutral performance while still confirming safety.
Heavy Metal & Metabolite Binding
- Clinoptilolite’s cation-exchange properties allow it to bind certain heavy metals and biogenic amines, and to hold more nitrogen in manure, potentially improving fertilizer value and reducing environmental burden.
Illness Prevention
By reducing effective exposure to mycotoxins and potentially supporting gut and immune function, clinoptilolite in feed may help lower the risk and severity of toxin-related illnesses (mycotoxicoses) in farm animals when contamination occurs.