Diatomaceous earth is a natural material. Zeolites are found in nature, however, they can also be manufactured to create a product with a specific chemical composition and function.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a substance made up of tiny fossilized exoskeletons of tiny single-celled organisms known as diatoms. It is extremely porous at the microscopic level.
Zeolites are hydrated crystalline aluminosilicates with very rigid structures. In terms of composition, zeolites are very similar to clay minerals, however their special crystalline structure remains rigid even in water.
DE deposits can be derived from both fresh and salt water sources. There are two main types of DE – food grade or food grade and “pool grade”. Diatomaceous earth derived from a fresh water source is considered food grade by the US Department of Agriculture Food grade DE must also meet specific heavy metal content regulations.
Currently more than 50 different natural zeolite minerals have been identified and more than 100 zeolites have been synthesized. Each type of zeolite has a different size and function; however, all zeolites are molecular sieves, which means that they selectively absorb molecules based on their shape, size, or electrical charge (Carr, 1129). The cations in zeolite are very loosely bound, allowing them to exchange with other cations. Each type of zeolite has the ability to exchange a particular cation in its chemical composition for another cation.
Zeolites (particularly clinoptilolite) are often added to animal feed and work very similar to food grade diatomaceous earth. Like DE, zeolite must be administered to animals in controlled amounts. It will increase feed efficiency and decrease ammonia stress on the digestive systems of animals. Adding food grade diatomaceous earth or zeolite to the diets of livestock, including chickens, turkeys, and pigs, can offer faster growth rates, higher egg production, higher feed efficiency, and drier waste that has less odor.
Diatomaceous earth is commonly used in livestock feed as an anti-caking agent and aids in granulation, however its use as a natural insecticide has been rapidly gaining popularity. Zeolite is also known to function as an insecticide and due to its high ion exchange and adsorption capacity, natural zeolites, specifically clinoptilolite, are effective carriers of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides (Carr, 1147). However, zeolites are more commonly used for ammonium ion removal in waste treatment, sewage treatment, pet litter and aquaculture, as odor control, for removal of heavy metal ions from waste nuclear, mining and industrial plants and in agriculture as a soil conditioner and fertilizer extender. . Zeolite is also used in laundry detergents and water softeners.
It is very important that when using DE and zeolite you use the correct type. Only food grade or food grade diatomaceous earth can be used as an insecticide and in animal feed. Food grade DE meets very strict regulations in terms of crystalline silica (must be less than 0.1%) and heavy metal content, making it safe for consumption by animals.
Getting the right kind of zeolite is also very important. There are several types of zeolite (including erionite and some mordenite) that are fibrous in nature and can be classified as asbestos-like materials (Carr, 1151). Additionally, crystalline silica is commonly found in zeolite deposits and finely ground products can contain more than 0.1% crystalline silica.