What are organic acids?

Organic acids" refers to all acids called carboxylic acids built on a carbon skeleton that can alter the physiological structure of bacteria, causing metabolic abnormalities that prevent proliferation and lead to death.

Almost all organic acids used in animal nutrition (such as formic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, sorbic acid or citric acid) have an aliphatic structure and are energy sources for cells. In contrast, benzoic acid is built on aromatic rings and has different metabolic and absorption properties.

Supplementation of organic acids at appropriately high doses in animal feed can increase body weight, improve feed conversion and reduce the colonization of pathogens in the gut.

1, reduce the pH value and buffering capacity in the feed as well as antibacterial and antifungal effects.

2, by releasing hydrogen ions in the stomach to reduce the pH value, thereby activating pepsinogen to form pepsin and improve protein digestibility;

3. Inhibition of gram-negative bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

4, intermediate metabolites - used as energy.

The effectiveness of an organic acid in inhibiting microbial growth depends on its pKa value, which describes the pH of the acid at 50% in its dissociated and undissociated form. The latter is the way in which organic acids have antimicrobial properties. It is only when organic acids are in their undissociated form that they can pass through the walls of bacteria and fungi and alter their metabolism that they have antimicrobial capabilities. Thus, this means that the antimicrobial efficacy of organic acids is higher under acidic conditions (such as in the stomach) and reduced at neutral pH (in the intestine).

Therefore, organic acids with high pKa values are weaker acids and more effective antimicrobials in the feed due to the higher proportion of undissociated forms present in the feed, which can protect the feed from fungi and microorganisms.

Acidified glyceride

In the 1980s, American scientist Agre discovered a cell membrane protein called aquaporin. The discovery of water channels opens up a new area of research. At present, scientists have found that aquaporins exist widely in animals, plants and microorganisms.

Through the synthesis of propionic acid and butyric acid and glycerol, α-monopropionic acid glycerol ester, α-monobutyric acid glycerol ester, by blocking the bacteria and fungi glycerol channel, interfere with their energy balance and membrane dynamic balance, so that they lose energy sources, block energy synthesis so as to play a good bactericidal effect, and no drug residues.