Function and Application of Feed Acidifier in Poultry Production

With the development of social economy, people's living standards are improving day by day, people's environmental awareness and health concept are also improving day by day, and the demand for the production and use of green food is increasing. For the chicken industry, in order to produce products that meet the requirements of green food, it is necessary to limit the use of chemical synthetic drug additives that affect the quality of poultry products, produce drug resistance and drug residues and other side effects, and use green additives as much as possible. The feed acidifier  is a green additive.

    1. Types of feed acidifiers 

The substances used as feed acidifiers include inorganic acids and organic acids. In the past, organic acids were mostly used in production, because they have good flavor, can improve the palatability of feed, and can directly enter the body of animals to participate in metabolism, so it can improve the quality of feed and animal growth performance. Inorganic acids are also used because of their strong acidity, low cost, and good processability. Commonly used acidifiers include organic acids such as citric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, and isotopic acid, and inorganic acids such as formic acid, propionic acid, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid. Different acidifiers have their own characteristics, but the most widely used and effective ones are formic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid and compound acid. Fumaric acid has broad-spectrum bactericidal and bacteriostatic activities. For example, adding 0.2% to 0.4% fumaric acid to the feed can kill Staphylococcus and Streptococcus; 0.4% can kill Escherichia coli; more than 2% concentration has the effect of toxigenic fungi. killing and inhibition. Lowering the pH of the water to 4 kills a large number of bacteria in the water. However, some microorganisms such as yeast, molds and algae can still grow at pH 4. Organic acids are used to kill these microorganisms. The pH of the water Must be less than 1.5, while poultry is suitable for drinking. The choice of the right organic acid must ensure that it is safe, effective and inexpensive.     

2. The important functions of  acidifier for poultry    

2.1 Reduce the pH value of gastric juice, promote the activation of digestive enzymes such as pepsin, and regulate gastric emptying speed     . The best digestive environment. When the pH value of gastric contents was 2.0, pepsin was rapidly activated; when the pH value increased to 4, the activation rate was slow. The suitable pH value of pepsin is 2.0-3.5. When the pH value was greater than 3.6, the activity decreased significantly; when the pH value was greater than 6.0. Pepsin is inactivated. Therefore, the pH of gastric contents affects the digestion of dietary protein. Therefore, the addition of acidifiers not only activates the pepsin source, but also directly stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes.     

2.2 Prevent mildew in feed
    By adding acidulants to the feed, the growth of mould in the feed can be prevented or controlled. Maintain the freshness of the feed, thereby improving the palatability and nutrient utilization of the feed. In addition, due to the influence of mycotoxins, the effect of vaccines and antibiotics is reduced, resulting in suppressed immune function. Therefore, the hygienic conditions in the feed will directly affect the performance of chickens. A range of problems caused by mycotoxins can be reduced by adding acidulants.     

2.3 Alternative antibiotics     

The problem of drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria has received extensive attention. Among them, drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli exist in large numbers. E. coli infections are not treated well with antibiotics. Therefore, acidulants are paid attention to as antibacterial and bactericidal additives with no toxic side effects and no residues. Studies have shown that acidifiers can regulate the balance of gastrointestinal microbial flora, especially to reduce E. coli infection.  

2.4 Improve the bioavailability of calcium 

The  addition of acidulants can not only reduce the pH value of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract, but also chelate with minerals such as calcium in the feed. Promote intestinal absorption of calcium and other minerals.     

2.5 Anti-stress effects  

Most of the findings suggest that acidulants (such as calcium formate, fumaric acid, and citric acid) play a more important role in maintaining the balance of the internal environment of the animal's digestive tract and preventing heat stress. The reason is that this acidulant can be oxidized in the body to carbon dioxide and bicarbonate, which can buffer the damage caused by the alkalinity of the blood and keep the pH of the blood in the proper range. Thereby avoiding or reducing heat stress, maintaining good health, etc.     

2.6 Improve the palatability of chicken feed     

The addition of calcium formate to the diet can improve the palatability of the feed, provide energy, promote the growth of chicks, reduce fatty liver, increase blood phosphorus content, and increase the number of eggs produced per day and egg weight.    

2.7 Environmental protection Acidifiers     

are generally based on calcium formate, citric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid and other organic acids, and the addition amount in the diet is preferably 1% to 2%. It can reduce the production of harmful gases such as ammonia gas by intestinal microorganisms, improve the intestinal environment, and has anti-stress and immune-enhancing effects.

    In conclusion, feed acidulants can not only lower the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, but also activate the source of pepsin and stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes. Improve the biological activity of feed and gastrointestinal tract, and have the function of promoting growth, preventing disease and health care. Today, acidifiers are highly effective, non-polluting and non-residue feed additives that promote growth and inhibit the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms in terms of food safety and human health, fulfilling the requirement to replace antibiotics as growth promoters. It is a green additive with great potential and has a very broad application prospect in the breeding industry.