The way forward with organic acids

BY MATHIEU CALMONT & JUSTIN Y. W. TAN

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Introduction
Organic acids have gained
worldwide acceptance as the
choice replacement for Antibiotic
Growth Promoters (AGPs) in
livestock feed. This is due to
their ability to kill pathogenic
microorganisms that cause disease
and deter the growth performance
of livestock.

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Figure 1 animals, where the pH is lower than the pKa

of the acid, as the intestinal tract is much too
alkaline for any reduction in pH to be significant
or beneficial. To comprehend this completely,
XCOOH XCOO- + H+ one must be able to fully understand the
pH < pKa pH > pKa relationship between the pKa of an acid and its
surrounding pH.

The antimicrobial activity of organic acids

enables such additives to be widely used in
As antimicrobial agents, organic acids function the preservation of livestock feed, silages,
in two distinct ways. The more commonly cereals and grains. Organic acids are known
known mode of action of acidifiers is via to be effective both in reducing bacterial
pH depression by the release of protons to contamination as well as preventing mould
surrounding media, creating undesirable or growth in livestock feedstuffs.
unfavourable conditions for pathogens.

Organic Acids: The Predicament

The other less known mode of action is its
ability to change from a non-dissociated form However, despite its proven effects and
to a dissociated form, depending on the pH benefits as an antimicrobial agent, the use of
of its surrounding environment. When an acid acidifiers in animal feed remains limited. This
is in a non-dissociated form, it can diffuse is mainly due to its detrimental properties, as
freely across the semi-permeable surface pure organic acids are corrosive and volatile
of microorganisms, penetrating through in nature, resulting in its likeliness to cause
the cell wall and into the cell cytoplasm. serious damage to equipment and work areas,
Once within the cell, the acid undergoes a and thorough cleaning needs to be undertaken
dissociation process, releasing protons that after its use.
cause the internal pH of the cell to drop. As
the normal pH of the cell is usually close to pH The use of acidifiers in the livestock industry
7, this drop in pH will suppress cell enzymes leads to major usage problems, where workers
and nutrient transport systems, causing involved in the handling of these chemicals are
metabolic disturbances within the cell, finally required to wear suitable protective equipment
killing the pathogen. Unbeknownst to many, such as gloves and goggles to avoid harmful
the latter mode of action is of far higher contact or exposure to these substances.
significance compared to the former in terms of A large quantity is also often lost through
antimicrobial efficacy. evaporation, where 15-20% is known to be lost
during the process of pelleting. In addition,
It is also a myth and a misconception that organic acids tend to have very strong odour,
organic acids have any benefits in the intestines making working environments unpleasant
of livestock. It has been proven that organic for all involved in its handling. Once added
acids work primarily in the stomach of livestock to feedstuffs, organic acids often cause a
decrease in animal feed consumption.

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The Drawbacks of Buffered remains in its fat coated form. It also has no
effects whatsoever in the intestines, where the
Acids and Coated Acids
pH is too high and the acids are useless. Last
This has led to the acceptance of what is but not least, it is impossible to use in drinking
known as buffered organic acids. These are water, if no emulsifying agent is added.
organic acids that are combined with alkaline
agents such as calcium or ammonia to form
The Solution in Protected Acids
a salt complex such as calcium formate and
ammonium propionate. While this effectively For organic acids to be used increasingly in
reduces the corrosivity of pure organic acids, livestock feedstuffs, there is a necessity for
the corrosive nature of buffered acids is still an improved form – one that is non-corrosive,
inherent, even if it is reduced. There is no doubt safe, effective and easy to use. Users of organic
that the carrier, being part of the molecular acids should not have to compromise between
weight of the substance, replaces a large the safety and efficacy of their chosen product.
portion of the acid and is thus much less
efficacious compared to the pure form of the For this purpose Borregaard has specifically
acid. The ammonia/sodium portion represents developed a new, unique and patented
20 - 35% of the molecular weight of the formula technology called SoftAcid®.
and yet is in itself of no benefit to the animal as
an antimicrobial. For example, when ammonia SoftAcid is a product range that consists of
or sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is used as organic acids and modified lignosulfonic acid.
an alkaline agent, the pH of an organic acid It is the presence of the latter which gives the
may increase from 0.5 to 4.0. This leads to a product its name “Soft,” due to its ability to
significant drop in the pH reducing efficacy of moderate the aggressive nature of the organic
such buffered acids. Moreover, it can no longer acids. SoftAcid is consequently non- corrosive,
be called formic acid, as it is now a totally safer to use and easier to handle compared to
different chemical with very different properties other pure organic acids.
altogether.
Meanwhile, SoftAcid has also been proven
In the case of ammonium formate, the to be more effective compared to buffered
heating process (or storage for a long period) or coated acids. Tests conducted at the
generates formamide, which is classified as a Norwegian National Veterinary Institute
toxic substance, a teratogen, and is possibly and North Carolina State University clearly
carcinogenic as well. demonstrated that SoftAcid is highly effective
at inhibiting the growth of Salmonella and E.
Some acidifier products also claim to have a fat coli.
coating, in order to reduce corrosivity, volatility
and absorption in the intestines. Fat coated SoftAcid Technology can be incorporated into
organic acids have literally no pH reducing any existing organic acid or a blend of different
effects, have a rather low organic acid content, organic acids to recreate this new innovative
and are known to be very expensive. It has approach to the use of organic acids for
no beneficial effects in the stomach, as it still livestock feed.

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The Bacterial Inhibition

Properties of SoftAcid
In the digestive tract, H+ ions (endogenous environment to check for colonisation
hydrochloric acid) release the organic acid potential, which is furthered determined by
molecules from the SoftAcid macromolecules. bacterial population density. Basically, most
Lignosulfonic acid also has clear inhibiting of these signaling molecules are attracted by
properties on bacterial colonisation. Bacteria lignosulfonic acid due to the Alwatech process,
are known to communicate by sending which interferes with the bacterial colonisation
out small molecules (lactones) into the process.

Treatment Colonisation/Destruction Balance Effect on Bacteria

None Colonisation
There is rapid bacterial colonisation of the
environment due to lack of inhibition.

Formic acid @ 5 kg/MT Bacteriostatic Effect

Due to low organic acid inclusion rate,
not all bacteria are killed. As soon as
the organic acid molecules are fully
consumed, live resistant bacteria
recolonise the environment.

Formic acid @ 20 kg/MT Bactericidal Effect

At such high concentrations, all bacteria
is destroyed.

SoftAcid @ 5 kg/MT Bacteriostatic Effect

A large portion of bacteria are eliminated
by organic acid molecule dissociation.
Resistant bacteria are inhibited by
lignosulfonic acid molecules and
colonisation is stopped. Thus the SoftAcid
effect is similar to the pure acid effect.

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The Benefits of Using SoftAcid Technology

A. B.
Reduction in Corrosivity Reduction in Odour/Evaporation

SoftAcid has been found to be significantly less A significant quantity of organic acids that
corrosive towards black steel as well as other are used as antimicrobial agents in feed and
metals compared to formic acid (see Figure also to preserve grains and cereals against
1). This is because the aggressive nature of mould growth are lost via evaporation. Due
organic acids is reduced by the presence of to its volatile nature, organic acids also emit
lignosulfonic acid. With respect to corrosion, malodours that pose great health risks to both
the dissociated lignosulfonic acid anions humans as well as to animals. Borregaard has
migrate towards the positively charged solid also developed its own method in measuring
surfaces (such as concrete and steel) to form a the organic acid evaporation rate in feed plants
protective layer. and to compare it with SoftAcid.

Figure 2 The monitoring of acid levels present in the

air during the production of feed pellets
containing formic acids was carried out (see
Figure 2) on a commercial feed mill. From
the obtained data, it can be concluded that
the amount of formic acid present in the
work environment was greatly reduced when
formic acid was replaced by SoftAcid. A
corresponding reduction in odour was also
observed.
Source: SINTEF, Norway, 2003
Because SoftAcid was able to reduce the
Experiments at SINTEF Materials Technology rate of evaporative loss of the organic acids,
showed that the corrosion rate of SoftAcid there was a higher concentration of acids
on carbon steel was reduced by 96.7% remaining, thus increasing its effectiveness as
compared to pure formic acid. A 75% reduction an antimicrobial in livestock feed.
in corrosion rate was also recorded when
Figure 2
concrete cubes were used instead of black
steel.

Results from Felleskjøpet, Norway

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C.
Improved Animal Performance

SoftAcid makes an excellent choice as a Extensive trials have also been carried out at
replacement for AGPs in livestock feed, due Danske Slagterier, or the Danish Bacon & Meat
to its specific and unique ability to either Council (see Table 1). SoftAcid has been found
kill or inhibit the growth of pathogenic to have better palatability, with inclusion rates
microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, of up to 2% having no detrimental effect on
thus promoting growth and improved feed intake.
performance of various species of livestock
animals. Results show that SoftAcid is an effective
product for the prevention of digestive
Farmers co-operative Felleskjøpet Agri problems, and results in better utilisation of
BA is the largest feed producer in Norway. the feed and improved animal performance.
With 57 grain depots, it is also the largest It was also found to have a positive influence
grain collector in this Scandinavian country. on the microbial population of the pig’s
According to Mr. Vebjørn Nilsen, the Technical digestive system, resulting in a reduction in
& Process Manager who is responsible for the number of coliform bacteria present in
15 feed plants across Norway, SoftAcid the small intestines. It should be noted that
Technology has been instrumental in their the performance of SoftAcid was found to be
anti-Salmonella programme, and part of the similar to that observed with pure formic acid
mechanism which enables this giant co- (Maribo and Jensen, 2001).
operative to be the only feed producer in the
world to guarantee Salmonella-free feed for
their customers.

Table 1
Product Control 1.0 % SoftAcid 1.5 % SoftAcid 2.0 % SoftAcid
No of groups 16 16 16 16
No of pigs 402 402 402 403
4-6 weeks
Daily gain, g 137 155 154 158
Daily intake feed, FUp 0.24 0.25 0.25 0.25
FUp/kg gain 1.92 1.7 1.72 1.69
6-10 weeks
Daily gain, g 487 507 510 489
Daily intake feed, FUp 0.89 0.93 0.92 0.91
FUp/kg gain 1.83 1.83 1.80 1.86
4-10 weeks
Daily gain, g 374 392 396 382
Daily intake feed, FUp 0.68 0.71 0.70 0.70
FUp/kg gain 1.83 1.80 1.78 1.82

Results from Danish Feeding Trial

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Trials conducted in Northern Germany (see Results show that there was an additional live
Table 2) also show that replacement of a weight gain of 15 grams per day due to the use
formic/propionic mixture on a 1:1 basis by of SoftAcid. This gives an extra weight gain
SoftAcid produced an improved performance of 1.2 kg. These results show the benefits of
in terms of feed intake, weight gain and feed SoftAcid against a leading competitor acid with
conversion ratio. respect to weight gain of the animals.

The trial was conducted in post-weaning

piglets from the age of four weeks until they
were approximately ten weeks old. The dosage
of both SoftAcid and the market leader acidifier
at the time, was fixed at 0.6% each.

Table 2

Test parameters 0.6 % Formic/Propionic acid mix 0.6 % SoftAcid

No of pigs 236 236

Start weight/kg 30.87 31.18
Finish weight/kg 91.35 92.85
Days 77.7 77.7
% lean meat 55.0 54.5
Weight gain (kg) 60.48 61.67
Daily feed consumption/kg 2.16 2.19
Feed conversion ratio 2.77 2.75
Daily weight gain/g 778 793

Results from German Feeding Trial

Conclusion
Currently, with the availability of protected SoftAcid completes the evolution of the use of
acids and SoftAcid Technology, feed and acidifiers since its early days, enabling organic
livestock producers no longer have to acids to safely and effectively replace AGPs
compromise between efficacy and safety when in animal feed, while providing many other
choosing to use organic acids as an alternative benefits for the animal as well as profits for the
feed additive. producer.

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Borregaard
PO box 162
N-1701 Sarpsborg
Norway
Tel: +47 69 11 80 00

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