Acidifiers in Pig and Poultry Ration

Acidifiers are emerging feed additives in the new century, more commonly used as antimicrobials replacing antibiotics. Efficiency of acidifiers is more seen in weaned piglets than adult pigs by reducing post weaned stress, diarrhoea, mortality and increasing feed efficiency and animal performance. Acidifiers as preservatives inhibit the microbial growth and maintain hygienic quality during the storage of feed ingredients. Acidifiers are easily available and more economical to use in pigs. Some organic acids are more effective against acid intolerant species such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. Organic acids improved nutrient digestibility by reducing microbial competition with the host for nutrients and endogenous nitrogen losses, by lowering the incidence of subclinical infections and secretion of immune mediators, and by reducing production of ammonia and other growth-depressing microbial metabolites.