Synthetic betaine: Functional afternative in broiler nutrition

摘要

Betaine is an important ingredient in broiler nutrition. It improves production performance, replaces other methyl group donors such as choline and methionine, assists birds under heat stress conditions and improves slaughter characteristics. The major source so far has been betaine anhydrate extracted from sugar beet. However, a proper crystalline betaine hydrochloride has proven to also work well. This is available all year long and production capacity is independent to sugar beet production. Moreover, it is cost effective. Betaine is a known functional nutrient in broiler nutrition, which was in the past mainly used as betaine anhydrous extracted from sugar beets. Nowadays, betaine is also available as betaine hydrochloride from synthetic production. Latest research highlighted that the nutritional properties of these products were equal, unveiling a cheaper, non-hygroscopic as well as non-seasonal (available all year) source of betaine for the feed industry. However, special care should be taken that the free-flowing properties of betaine hydrochloride are always ensured, since hygroscopidty may limit application in feed factories. With a strong focus on the crystallisation process and correct application of a free flowing carrier, a non-hygroscopic betaine hydrochloride can be produced.