Plasma mineral concentrations might be a valuable tool to
measure mineral status in pigs. The plasma concentrations of
the minerals reported in the present study are in the range of
values reported by Kirchgessner (1997).The linear increase in
plasma P caused by benzoic acid throughout the entire
experiment coincided with increased ATTD of P and retention,
similar to previous studies (e.g., Ekpe et al., 2002). Similarly,
increased plasma K caused by benzoic acid on days 10 and 21
coincided with increased K retention. However, a trend for
Plasma mineral concentrations might be a valuable tool to
measure mineral status in pigs.increased plasma Na on day 21 coincided with reduced Na
retention and increased urinary excretion of Na in the benzoic
acid-containing diets, indicating that the ability to use plasma
concentrations of minerals as an indicator of mineral status
differs among minerals. Plasma Na may not be useful as an
indicator of Na status, whereas plasma P and K might beuseful as an indicator of P and K status at deficient or extreme
high supplies, respectively.