In this study, Pal supplementation enhanced nitrogen retention and
organic matter digestibility, which is in agreement with the findings of
Zhou et al. (2014). Sepiolite exhibiting similar structures and properties
to Pal is considered to enhance the nutritive value of diets by retaining
digesta longer in the gastrointestinal tract, which could subsequently
increase the ability of the digestive tract to hydrolyze enzymatically
dietary polymers (Tortuero et al., 1992). Likewise, Ouhida et al. (2000)
also reported that sepiolite decreased mean retention time in the
whole gastrointestinal tract and small intestine with medium and
high viscous diets (barley–wheat, maize–carboxy methylcellulose)
and prolonged this time with the low viscous diet, resulting in enhanced
organic matter digestibility and nitrogen retention. Thus, Pal, like sepiolite,
may be also able to improve nutrients digestibility by affecting intestinal
digesta retention time.