How amino acids can boost your business?

Take a look at our guide to animal diet supplementation with Amino Acids. Discover what they are and how you can use them to enhance the performance of your livestock and improve business profitability. Learn which amino acids are the most beneficial for poultry, cows, and swine nutrition.

What are amino acids and what is their role in animal feed?

Amino acids play a key role in the proper development and functioning of the animal organism which is largely composed of proteins. Amino acids are often described as building blocks of the body. They enable the synthesis of the proteins which then create tissues and muscles. Moreover, they contribute to several essential bodily functions. The correct composition of amino acids influences enhanced productivity and improved health thus increasing the profitability of the business owners.

Two main categories of amino acids

There are two categories of amino acids: essential and non-essential. Non-essential amino-acids are produced within the body from other amino acids or compounds. The name can be misleading as those amino acids play an important role. They take part in processes such as metabolism, digestion, fertility, and immune responses.

On the other hand, essential amino acids cannot be synthesized within the organism and need to be included in the diet. As common grain-based feeds fail to provide a sufficient amount of amino acids, farmers tend to enhance the animal diets with added components.

Essential Amino Acids offered by Foodcom S.A.

Foodcom S.A. is a supplier of the most common amino acids for animal nutrition: lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan. Essential amino acids offered by our company are obtained through the process of microbial fermentation or thorugh chemical process and are commonly used to supplement various animal feeds.

Lysine

Lysine is responsible for activating enzymatic reactions, protein synthesis, and bone development. It also plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and calcium absorption. Ensuring sufficient levels of lysine in the animal diet results in lower feed costs and enhanced performance. The product is added to feed premixes in order to maintain the desired level of lysine which can be insufficient in other protein sources such as corn (0.22%) and wheat (0.3%). Lysine is added to feed rations for swine, poultry, dairy cows, and fish.

In swine nutrition, lysine is the first limiting amino acid, meaning that it is the first amino acid to become deficient in the diet as the demand for lysine is higher than the amount included in the feed.

In the poultry diet, lysine is the second limiting amino acid. Chicken diet increased with lysine is responsible for a decreased fetal mortality and helps the development of bones and muscles.

A balanced profile of lysine and methionine in cow feed allows for enhanced milk production. Lysine is also partially responsible for reducing the nitrogen excretion in cow herding.

Methionine

Methionine is one of the crucial amino acids enabling the translation of the rest of the amino acid profile. It serves as a key that allows the other amino acids to fulfill their function. In other words, it allows the animal to use the rest of the amino acids.

When added to poultry feed, methionine allows for increased egg production, muscle mass buildup, and a healthy digestive tract. Usually, laying hens should ingest around 415mg of methionine per day to reach their ultimate production capability.

High-yielding cows need increased levels of methionine for milk production but it also improves the functioning of the liver and reduces immune suppression. The product also results in fewer health disorders and a lower number of pregnancy losses.

In a piglet diet, methionine is partially responsible for creatine synthesis.

Threonine

Threonine contributes to the proper functioning of the animal’s immune and digestive systems as well as feather synthesis. Threonine is particularly desired in the low-protein diets of poultry and swine. The product is highly appreciated by the manufacturers as it allows for lower feed costs and intensified productivity. Threonine provides a high-quality source of energy and serves as a regulatory agent in feed consumption and digestion resulting in improved gut health and a stronger immune system. It contributes to the development of skeletal muscle and enhances body weight gain. Threonine is also responsible for lowering nitrogen excretion levels into the environment.

Threonine is the second limiting amino acid in the swine diet. In pig feed of low crude protein content, threonine is the desired additive for performance support.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan is a key factor in the proper functioning of the nervous and immune systems. The product regulates reproduction, neurological, and anti-stress activities in the organism. Tryptophan is an expensive product but at the same time, it is indispensable for the proper functioning of the body. The desired lysine to tryptophan ratio in a high-quality diet varies between 15% (that is if lysine is 1% then tryptophan should be 0.15%) and 24%. Tryptophan allows for enhanced animal performance and increased body weight as well as reduced nitrogen excretion.

It is the third limiting amino acid in swine nutrition. The product is highly digestible in a piglet diet and can result in their intensified appetite. It improves the digestive system in the post-weaning period of piglets and lowers the risk of bacterial proliferation.

In poultry nutrition, tryptophan also normalizes serotonin synthesis and regulates reproductive functions. Tryptophan’s high flowability ensures facilitated preparation of mixed feed, dietary complexes, and milk replacers.

Why choose Foodcom as your Business Partner?

Foodcom S.A. offers its partners transparent conditions and competitive prices in amino acid purchases. Our great team of Sales Support and Traders is here to advise you on exploring the possibilities of supplementing the animal feeds with our highest quality amino acids in order to improve the performance of your livestock and enhance the profitability of your business.