What is the role of feed grade calcium formate in the feed? Maybe you are wondering, you have to add acid, why should you add such a compound to complicate the process. In fact, when organic acids are used in feeds or mixed into premixes, their acidity is highly likely to cause loss of vitamins in the feed, thus greatly limiting their use in feed. Feed grade calcium formate completely overcomes these shortcomings and is therefore widely used. This article will describe more information about feed grade calcium formate.
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Definition
Feed grade calcium formate is a calcium salt containing formic acid containing 31% calcium, 69% formic acid, neutral pH, and low moisture content. Mixing calcium formate into the additive premix will not cause vitamin loss. And free formic acid can be separated under the action of gastric acid to lower the pH of the stomach. Calcium formate has a high melting point and can be decomposed at temperatures above 400 ° C and will not be destroyed during the granulation process.
The role of feed grade calcium formate
Lowering the pH value of the gastrointestinal tract is beneficial to activate pepsinogen, make up for the deficiency of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach of piglets, and improve the digestibility of feed nutrients. Prevent the growth and reproduction of E. coli and other pathogenic bacteria, while promoting the growth of some beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli. Bacterial bacteria such as Lactobacillus can cover the intestinal mucosa from invasion of toxins produced by Escherichia coli, thereby preventing diarrhea associated with bacterial infections.
Formic acid as an organic acid can act as a chelating agent in the digestion process, and can promote the intestinal absorption of minerals.
Studies at home and abroad have shown that the addition of 1% to 1.5% calcium formate to piglet diets can significantly improve the performance of weaned piglets. A German study found that adding 1.3% calcium formate to the diet of weaned piglets can improve the feed conversion rate by 7% to 8%, and adding 0.9% can reduce the incidence of piglet diarrhea. Adding 1.5% calcium formate to the diet of 28-day-old weaned piglets for 25 days, the daily weight gain of piglets increased by 7.3%, the feed conversion rate increased by 2.53%, and the protein and energy utilization rate increased by 10.3% and 9.8%, respectively. Piglet squats were significantly reduced. Adding 1% calcium formate to the diet of weaned piglets increased daily gain by 3%, feed conversion by 9%, and piglet diarrhea by 45.7%. Other things to note are: the use of calcium formate is effective before and after weaning. This is because the hydrochloric acid secreted by the piglets is strengthened with age; calcium formate contains 30% of easily absorbed calcium, and it is necessary to adjust the calcium phosphate when formulating the feed. proportion.
Other uses of calcium formate: as a new feed additive. Calcium formate is used to increase weight, and calcium formate is used as a feed additive for piglets to promote appetite and reduce diarrhea. In the first few weeks after weaning, the addition of 1.5% calcium formate to the feed increased the growth rate of the piglets by more than 12% and the feed conversion rate by 4%.
The scope of application
Because it has a neutral pH (pH 7.3 ~ 7.6 in 10% aqueous solution) and low moisture content (up to 0.5%), mixing calcium citrate into the additive premix does not cause vitamins. Loss and separation of free formic acid under the action of gastric acid effectively reduces the pH in the stomach to maintain a positive effect on proper acidity in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, since the calcium carbonate has a high melting point of 400 ° C or higher, it can be decomposed, so calcium formate is not damaged during the granulation process.
As a new feed additive, calcium formate is also especially suitable for weaned piglets. The nutrient effect of calcium formate is mainly achieved by the formic acid which is decomposed in the stomach environment. It mainly improves the growth performance of weaned pigs by the following modes of action:
1) Lowering the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, which is beneficial to activate the pepsinogen to make up for the deficiency of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid secretion in the piglets' stomach, which improves the digestibility of feed nutrients.
2) Maintain a lower pH in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby preventing the growth and reproduction of E. coli and other pathogenic bacteria while promoting the growth of some beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli. It produces volatile fatty acids in the intestines and knots and acts as an antibiotic. In addition, beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli can love to cover the mucosa. It is not invaded by toxins produced by Escherichia coli. Thereby preventing diarrhea associated with bacterial infections.
3) It can act as an integrator in the digestion process! It can promote the absorption of minerals in the intestines, improve the energy utilization of natural metabolites, increase the feed conversion rate, prevent diarrhea, squatting, and improve the survival rate and increase of piglets. Heavy speed. At the same time, calcium formate also has the effect of anti-mildew preservation.
Adding 0.8-1.5% calcium formate to the feed can reach the intestinal mucosa without the intrusion of toxins, and control and prevent the occurrence of diarrhea and diarrhea related to bacteria.
The role of feed grade calcium formate is as described above, it is not a dispensable feed, and there is no excessive processing. It is the best choice after integrating the effects and usage scenarios. Feed grade calcium formate calcium is a practical feed.