Organic Acids for the Animal Nutrition Industry

High-quality forage is the most important prerequisite for a high milk yield and efficiency.

BASF provides solutions that help optimize the nutrient content and quality of harvested feed and improve the hygiene of by-products and farm-produced compound feed.

Poor forage can, in the worst case, lead to illnesses in the animals. Furthermore, expensive straight feeding stuffs, such as wheat, need to be used for energy compensation. Good silage has a low pH value and a low butyric acid content. When harvesting time is optimal and, in the case of grass silage, wilting is successful, the lactic acid bacteria naturally present in the silage crop are usually sufficient for reliable fermentation.

Acid mixtures for animal nutrition

BTC’s Lupro-Mix® and Lupro-Cid® organic acid mixtures combine the advantages of formic acid and propionic acid optimally for every application. As propionic acid is very efficient against moulds and formic acid being highly effective against bacteria, the decision on the recommended product is dependent on the type of microorganisms to be controlled by the preservative.

Formic acid for animal nutrition

The effect of BTC’s formic acid Amasil®, in particular on bacteria, derives from its action in lowering the pH and from a bactericidal effect of the formate anion. Formate has a protein denaturing action. Lactic acid bacteria and moulds are relatively resistant to formic acid.

Propionic acid for animal nutrition

BTC’s Luprosil® propionic acid has a pronounced antimicrobial action. It acts on mould, yeasts, and bacteria. The preservative effect of propionic acid derives from intervention in the carbohydrate metabolism and DNA synthesis of the microorganisms. The preservation of compound feed and feed raw materials with Luprosil® propionic acid prevents nutrient losses and mycotoxin formation.