Citric acid is formed by the combination of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetic acid in the body's tricarboxylic acid cycle and is involved in the metabolism of sugars, fats and proteins in the body. Natural citric acid is found in plant (such as lemons, citrus, pineapple, etc.) fruits and animal bones, muscles, blood, artificial synthesis is produced by sugar, molasses, starch, grapes and other sugary substances fermentation. Adding citric acid to the compound feed can disinfect and prevent mildew and prevent infection of animal feed such as Salmonella. Animals can eat citric acid to reduce the proliferation of pathogens and inhibit the production of toxic metabolites, increasing animal stress.
(1) Adding citric acid to the diet can improve the palatability of the diet. Citric acid can directly stimulate the taste bud cells in the mouth, increase saliva secretion, play a role as a flavoring agent, enhance animal appetite, and thus improve the amount of food eaten by animals. The addition of citric acid to the diet can reduce the pH of the diet, after the animal is ingested, the acidity in the stomach decreases, the inactive pepsinogen is converted into active pepsin, or directly stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes; In addition, after the acidic chyme enters the small intestine, it stimulates the small intestine to secrete enteroprotein, so that it reflexively inhibits gastric peristalsis, delays the time of gastric emptying, makes the chyrus grow through the intestine, and promotes the digestion of nutrients.
(2) Promote the health of intestinal flora
Organic acids can enter the cell wall of bacteria, causing pH gradient changes inside and outside the bacteria, inhibiting bacterial growth. The suitable pH of the growth of several common pathogenic bacteria is neutral and alkaline, such as the appropriate pH of E. coli is 6.0 to 8.0, streptococcus is 6.0 to 7.5, and probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria are suitable for reproduction in an acidic environment. Citric acid reduces the pH in the gastrointestinal tract, and probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria in the intestine get good growth conditions, thereby maintaining the normal balance of microbial flora in the digestive tract of livestock and poultry.
(3) Enhance the body's anti-stress and immune capabilities
Immunoactive cells, namely T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, play an immune surveillance role on the body. Studies have shown that broilers fed citric acid can make immunely active cells have a higher density, so that chickens are in a better immune state, which can inhibit the reproduction of intestinal pathogenic bacteria and prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases.
(4) As an antifungal agent and antioxidant
Citric acid is a natural preservative. Because citric acid can reduce the pH of the feed, the proliferation of harmful microorganisms and the production of toxins are inhibited, and there is a significant anti-mildew effect. As a synergist of antioxidants, citric acid is mixed with antioxidants, which can improve the antioxidant effect, prevent or delay feed oxidation, improve the stability of compound feed and prolong the storage period.
The above information is compiled by Guangdong Qikang Chemical, if you need to reprint, please indicate the source!
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