Organic trace minerals · MHA chelation · 3 products

TRACNIX™ Line — Nature's Foundation.

One chelation platform. Three minerals. Maximum impact.

A three-product organic-trace-mineral line built on the same methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) chelation: TRACNIX™ Cu (≥15% Cu), TRACNIX™ Zn (≥16% Zn), and TRACNIX™ Mn (≥13% Mn). Bis-chelated to the methionine hydroxy analogue, absorbed through the amino-acid transport pathway, and stable through commercial pelleting — chemically equivalent to the widely-studied HMTBa-mineral complexes used in 40+ peer-reviewed broiler trials.

Request datasheet MHA chelation The three products Trial outcomes

Cu: ≥15% Cu · ≥78% HMA · Blue-green powder
Zn: ≥16% Zn · ≥80% HMA · Gray-white powder
Mn: ≥13% Mn · ≥76% HMA · Gray-white powder

Chelation MHA bis-chelate2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate

Absorption pathway Amino acid transportBypasses ion-channel antagonism

Quality systems ISO 9001 · FAMI-QSHeavy-metal release per batch

Shelf life 24 monthsCool, dry · sealed

The chelation advantage — MHA inside.

Methionine Hydroxy Analogue (MHA) — also written 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid, or HMTBa — is a methionine precursor that forms stable, bis-chelated bonds with divalent metal ions (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺). The result: a complex that is less reactive in the digestive tract, protected from antagonists like phytate and sulfate, and absorbed through the amino-acid transport pathway rather than the standard metal-ion channels.

A bis-chelate that the gut treats like an amino acid.

Each MHA ligand wraps around the metal ion through two coordination points; two ligands form a complete bis-chelate. The methionine analogue tail is what the small intestine recognizes — it's pulled across the brush border through amino-acid transporters instead of the metal-ion channels where most antagonism happens.

Stable in the upper gut — protected from phytate, fiber, sulfate, and competing minerals.
Amino-acid pathway uptake — bypasses the saturated ion-transport bottleneck.
Heat- & pellet-stable — survives commercial pelleting and extrusion.
Dual value — once absorbed, the MHA ligand contributes to the bird's sulfur amino acid pool.

MHA chelates vs. proteinates vs. sulfates.

Feature	MHA Chelates (TRACNIX™)	Proteinates	Sulfates/Inorganic
Absorption pathway	Amino acid transport	Peptide transport	Ion transport
Bioavailability — Cu	~65%+	~40%	~25%
Heat / pelleting stability	High	Moderate	Low
Antagonism resistance (phytate, sulfate, competing minerals)	High	Low	Very low
Fecal excretion/environmental load	Low	Moderate	High
Toxicity risk at supplemental dose	Minimal	Moderate	High (Cu, Zn)
Performance at reduced ppm	Equal / better at 40–60% inclusion	Inclusion-equivalent	Requires high ppm

Bioavailability source: Cu RBV of MHA chelate vs. sulfate, internal TRACNIX comparison consistent with peer-reviewed literature on HMTBa-mineral complexes (Richards et al., 2010; Bun et al., 2011; de Grande et al., 2020).

The TRACNIX™ Line — three minerals, one platform.

All three products share the same MHA chelation chemistry. They differ in the metal center — and in what that metal is biologically for. Copper drives cytochrome oxidase, hemoglobin synthesis, and gut enzyme activity. Zinc is the cofactor for over 300 enzymes and the keystone of skin, hoof, eggshell, and immune integrity. Manganese activates MnSOD, builds bone matrix and cartilage, and drives reproductive performance.

29 · Cu Cu Blue-Green Granules

TRACNIX™ Cu

MHA-Chelated Copper · ≥15% Cu

Cytochrome oxidase cofactor, hemoglobin precursor, gut-enzyme activator. Internal TRACNIX trials report ~65%+ absorption vs. ~25% for copper sulfate — and equivalent performance at 25% lower dietary Cu. Lower liver residues, reduced antagonism with Zn and Fe, and a substantially lower environmental Cu load.

Cytochrome oxidase Hemoglobin synthesis Low antagonism Poultry · Swine · Aqua

65 g/MT layers · 135 g/MT breeders
Swine 100–125 g/MT · Aqua 30–40 g/MT

30 · Zn Zn Gray-White Granules

TRACNIX™ Zn

MHA-Chelated Zinc · ≥16% Zn · ≥80% HMA

Cofactor for 300+ enzymes; the keystone mineral for immunity, skin and hoof integrity, protein synthesis, eggshell formation, and growth. Chemically equivalent to the widely-studied HMTBa-Zn complex referenced across 40+ broiler trials. Internal trials: +11.7% growth in broilers, +5.3% IgM in piglets vs. zinc sulfate.

300+ enzymes Skin · hoof · shell Cu/Zn-SOD cofactor Multi-species

125–190 g/MT layers · 250–315 g/MT breeders
Swine 150–200 g/MT · Aqua 50–75 g/MT

25 · Mn Mn Gray-White Granules

TRACNIX™ Mn

MHA-Chelated Manganese · ≥13% Mn · ≥76% HMA

The mobility mineral. MnSOD cofactor, cartilage-matrix builder, eggshell-structure mineral, reproductive enzyme activator. Hunan layer trial outcomes: shell strength lifted from 3.68 → 4.91 kgf, IgM from 433 → 690 μg/mL, FCR from 2.08 → 2.02. Higher hatchability and chick uniformity in breeder lines.

MnSOD Bone · cartilage Eggshell matrix Poultry · Swine · Ruminant

150–230 g/MT layers · 350–500 g/MT breeders
Swine 200–300 g/MT · Ruminants 300–400 g/MT

Bioavailability — where the molecule actually lands.

Inorganic Cu, Zn, and Mn pass through the gut at low absorption rates and high antagonism risk — much of the dietary inclusion ends up in litter and, downstream, in soil and water. MHA chelation lifts absorption to the point where the operator can hit equal or better performance at a lower dietary ppm — a sustainability story and a cost story at once.

Bioavailability comparison · Cu · MHA chelate vs. proteinate vs. sulfate

Estimated absorption %, illustrative

Inorganic (sulfate) Proteinate (peptide chelate) TRACNIX™ MHA chelate

−25% ppm

Cu inclusion reduction

Equivalent performance vs. CuSO₄

+11.7%

Broiler growth lift

TRACNIX™ Zn vs. zinc sulfate

+33%

Eggshell strength uplift

3.68 → 4.91 kgf · Hunan layer trial

−27%

Calf diarrhea reduction

1 kg/MT TRACNIX blend · 60-day trial

Three minerals — three different physiological jobs.

Copper, zinc, and manganese share the MHA chelation platform but do completely different work inside the bird. Copper drives oxidative phosphorylation and iron utilization. Zinc is the cofactor for 300+ enzymes covering immunity, protein synthesis, and tissue repair. Manganese is the mobility mineral — bone, cartilage, eggshell matrix, reproduction. The line is designed to be formulated together: synergistic in the antioxidant system (Cu/Zn-SOD with Mn-SOD), and non-antagonistic across the gut.

Cu · Element 29

TRACNIX™ Cu — energy & oxidation control

Cytochrome oxidase — mitochondrial energy transfer.
Hemoglobin synthesis — iron utilization & oxygen carrying.
Gut enzyme activity — improves villus-to-crypt ratio.
Cu/Zn-SOD — antioxidant enzyme cofactor (with Zn).
Immunity — supports macrophage and B-cell function.

Zn · Element 30

TRACNIX™ Zn — immunity, skin & growth

300+ enzymes — including all classes of metalloenzymes.
Zinc-finger proteins — DNA binding & transcription regulation.
Skin, hoof, feather integrity — keratin synthesis.
Immune cells — thymulin cofactor; IgA/IgG/IgM support.
Eggshell matrix proteins — Zn-dependent shell formation.

Mn · Element 25

TRACNIX™ Mn — mobility & reproduction

MnSOD — mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme.
Glycosyltransferases — collagen & proteoglycan synthesis.
Bone matrix & cartilage — chondrogenesis support.
Eggshell structural matrix — beyond Ca availability.
Reproductive hormones — FSH, LH, E2, PTH support.

Trial outcomes — across species and lifecycle stages.

TRACNIX has been evaluated across broiler, layer, breeder, swine, and dairy programs — and the methionine hydroxy analogue zinc complex (chemically equivalent to TRACNIX™ Zn) is backed by 40+ peer-reviewed studies covering bioavailability, antioxidant enzyme activation, immune response, gut morphology, and performance under coccidiosis challenge. The summary below highlights three representative trials from the dossier.

Broiler · 42-day floor-pen trial · 50% reduced trace minerals

University of São Paulo · MHA chelate broiler trial 40 ppm Zn · 30 ppm Cu · 40 ppm Mn as MHA chelates
vs. 100% inorganic supplementation

Design. Broilers fed diets with 50% reduced trace mineral levels (40 ppm Zn, 30 ppm Cu, 40 ppm Mn as MHA chelates) vs. birds on 100% inorganic supplementation (80 ppm Zn from sulfates) and a high-dose inorganic comparator (110 ppm Zn + 125 ppm Cu). Endpoints: 42-day BWG, FCR, breast yield, mortality. Companion arm: 27-day performance under Eimeria challenge.

Outcome	Inorganic 100% (80 ppm Zn)	High-dose inorganic (110 ppm Zn)	TRACNIX MHA 50% (40 ppm Zn)
42-day BWG (g)	2,640	2,675	2,710 · numerically higher
Overall FCR	1.68	1.66	1.65 · equivalent/better
Grower-phase (D10–21) FCR	1.52	1.54	1.48 · lower
27-day BW · Eimeria challenge	Depressed	Depressed	Equal to unchallenged control

Outcome: birds on the chelated minerals reached similar weight as unchallenged controls under Eimeria pressure, whereas those on high inorganic Zn lagged — indicating the chelates helped overcome coccidiosis growth depression. Practical implication: 50% trace-mineral reduction without performance loss, and a meaningful advantage under challenge.

Hy-Line layer · 520-day trial · Cu/Zn/Mn MHA vs. sulfates

Hunan Agricultural University · 520-day layer trial MHA replacement of inorganic minerals · serum & shell quality

Design. Laying hens fed diets with 50% or 100% of inorganic trace minerals replaced by HMTBa-chelated Cu, Zn, Mn. Endpoints: laying rate, shell thickness, shell strength, tibial strength, serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM), reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, E2, PTH). Trial duration covered the full late-lay window where shell quality declines.

Parameter	Inorganic (sulfates)	TRACNIX MHA 100%	Δ
Laying rate (%)	88.7	90.48	+1.78 pts
Eggshell thickness (mm)	Baseline	+0.05 mm	Meaningful uplift
Eggshell strength (kgf)	3.68	4.91	+33%
FCR (feed:egg)	2.08	2.02	−2.9%
Serum IgM (μg/mL)	433	690	+59%
LH / E2 / PTH	11.8 / 286 / 69.6	14.6 / 354 / 95.5	All elevated

Outcome: shell strength rose by a third — meaningful for layer programs where shell quality determines downstream egg-grade revenue and breakage loss. Source: Hunan Agricultural University layer trial dossier (Cu / Zn / Mn MHA chelates).

Dairy & calf · TRACNIX trace mineral blend

TRACNIX field trials — Shenmu City (calf) + dairy commercial cohort 1 kg/MT TRACNIX Cu/Zn/Mn MHA blend

Design. Two trials. (1) Dairy commercial cohort comparing TRACNIX Cu/Zn/Mn MHA blend vs. inorganic supplementation — endpoints milk yield, somatic cell count (SCC), conception rate, hoof lesion incidence. (2) Calf trial (Shenmu City, 2023): 1 kg/MT TRACNIX MHA blend for ~60 days (Nov–Jan) — endpoints ADG, diarrhea rate, serum IgG, nasal/ocular score, lameness.

Parameter	Inorganic	TRACNIX MHA group	Δ
Milk yield (L/day)	28.5	30.4	+1.9 L/day
Somatic cell count (cells/mL)	270,000	192,000	−29%
Conception rate (%)	46	53–55	+7–9 pts
Hoof lesion rate	Moderate	−30%	Significant ↓
Calf · ADG	Baseline	+12.5%	Significant ↑
Calf · diarrhea rate	Baseline	−27%	Significant ↓

Source: TRACNIX Calf Performance Trial, Shenmu City, 2023. Dairy commercial cohort outcomes from internal validation reports comparing OMS-based MHA chelate formulations vs. inorganic supplementation. Additional trial detail and full author list available in the TRACNIX Introduction Book (41-slide deck) on request.

Dosing Matrix — by product, species & stage.

TRACNIX is typically dosed against a target dietary ppm (Cu/Zn/Mn) — and because of the higher bioavailability, the target ppm can usually be 30–50% lower than the inorganic equivalent for the same performance outcome. KYNAD technical team supports custom inclusion modeling for integrators replacing inorganic supplementation.

Species & stage	TRACNIX™ Cu (g/MT)	TRACNIX™ Zn (g/MT)	TRACNIX™ Mn (g/MT)
Broilers · complete feed	~60–70	~75–100	~90–110
Layers · production	65–70	125–190	150–230
Breeders	130–135	250–315	350–500
Swine · grower/finisher	100–125	150–200	200–300
Dairy & calves	100–120	150–200	200–300
Ruminants — breeding stock	100–120	150–200	300–400
Aquaculture · finfish	30–40	50–75	40–60

Inclusion ranges are starting points. Final dose modeled against feed-form, baseline mineral content, antagonist load (phytate, sulfate), and the operator's performance target. KYNAD technical team supports custom 50–100% inorganic-replacement modeling.

Specifications — Cu, Zn, Mn at a glance.

All three products share the same MHA chelation chemistry, the same powder/granular form factor, and the same manufacturing standards. They differ in metal content, hydroxy methionine content, granule color, and heavy-metal release thresholds. Certificate of analysis and SDS available on request.

Parameter	TRACNIX™ Cu	TRACNIX™ Zn	TRACNIX™ Mn
Active mineral	Copper · min. 15%	Zinc · min. 16%	Manganese · min. 13%
Hydroxy methionine (MHA)	min. 78%	min. 80%	min. 76%
Chelation chemistry	Bis-chelated 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate (HMTBa/MHA) · same platform across all three
Form	Powder/granular	Powder/granular	Powder/granular
Color	Blue-green	Gray-white	Gray-white
Heavy metals — Pb	< 10 mg/kg	< 20 mg/kg	< 20 mg/kg
Heavy metals — As	< 10 mg/kg	< 10 mg/kg	< 20 mg/kg
Heavy metals — Cd	< 5 mg/kg	< 5 mg/kg	< 5 mg/kg
Layer dose	65–70 g/MT	125–190 g/MT	150–230 g/MT
Breeder dose	130–135 g/MT	250–315 g/MT	350–500 g/MT
Package	25 kg net paper bag · or 1,000 kg bulk bag
Storage	Dry, well-ventilated · cool · sealed packaging
Shelf life	24 months in original sealed packaging under recommended conditions
Quality systems	Manufactured under ISO 9001 · FAMI-QS · GMP-compliant production · heavy-metal release per batch

Quality assurance.

Quality systems Manufactured under ISO 9001 · FAMI-QSGMP-compliant production

Chelation Bis-chelated MHAPer-batch release

Heavy metals Pb/As/Cd controlledPer-product thresholds

Heat stability Pellet- & extrusion-stableSurvives commercial conditioning

Shelf life 24 monthsSealed · cool · dry

Storage & handling.

All three TRACNIX products are stable on a feed-mill shelf in sealed paper bags or bulk bags for up to 24 months. The only requirements are cool, dry storage and standard feed-additive PPE during handling.

Storage

Cool, dry, well-ventilated Store sealed 25 kg bags away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and high-humidity storage areas.
Keep sealed until use MHA chelates are hygroscopic; minimize ambient moisture exposure once a bag is opened. Compatible with standard premix and feed-mill workflows.
24-month shelf life Full 24-month shelf life in original sealed packaging under recommended conditions. No refrigeration required.

Handling

Standard feed-additive PPE Safety goggles and dust mask recommended in high-throughput dispensing. Handle in a well-ventilated area.
Compatible with premix & mash Premix-, mash-, pellet-, and extrusion-compatible. Heat-stable through commercial conditioning. No special inclusion order required.
Sustainability Lower dietary ppm reduces total mineral mass in litter and manure — supporting environmental compliance and clean-label production claims.

Replacement modeling. Most TRACNIX programs start with a 50% inorganic-to-MHA replacement and step to 100% as the operator validates against in-house targets. Cost-equivalence at 50–60% inorganic ppm is typical — performance lift comes from the remaining bioavailable Zn / Cu / Mn pool and the lower antagonism load. Illustrative ROI Model available scaled to feed mix and current inorganic ppm.

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Request the full TRACNIX™ packet.

Product Overviews for TRACNIX™ Cu, Zn, and Mn, full specification sheets, the TRACNIX Introduction Book (41-slide deck), the TRACNIX-Zn vs. HMTBa-Zn comparative-efficacy report, plus the broiler, layer, breeder, swine, dairy, and calf trial dossiers. Custom inorganic-replacement modeling available for any feed mix.

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