Reduce the pH value and acid binding capacity of feed and promote the activation of zymogen in the stomach. The higher the acid-binding capacity of the feed, the more free acid will be bound in the stomach, resulting in a greater increase in gastric pH. As we all know, some important zymogens in the stomach, such as pepsinogen, require gastric acid to activate them before they become catalytically active. Feeds with high acid binding capacity will affect the activation of zymogens, resulting in low digestive enzyme activity in the stomach, affecting the digestion of nutrients in the feed, especially protein. In addition, when the pH in the stomach is high, the acidity in the stomach cannot meet the sterilization requirements, and microorganisms such as Escherichia coli attached to the feed enter the small intestine and can multiply in the small intestine. Moreover, the undigested stomach contents provide good medium conditions for the growth of E. coli.
Acidifiers should promote intestinal microecological balance and prevent intestinal pathogenic microbial diseases in animals. Acidifiers can inhibit the reproduction of harmful microorganisms by lowering the pH value of the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the consumption of nutrients and the production of bacterial toxins, while promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria. In addition to lowering intestinal pH, organic acids have another mechanism of action to kill pathogenic bacteria. After the organic acid enters the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, part of it dissociates to produce hydrogen ions, thereby lowering the pH value, while the other part does not dissociate but exists in molecular form. Only this part of the organic acid that exists in the form of molecules can pass through the bacterial cell membrane and enter the interior of the bacteria. The pH value in bacterial cells is neutral, so organic acid molecules will dissociate here to produce hydrogen cations and carboxyl anions. Generally speaking, inorganic acids have a high degree of dissociation, so their direct bactericidal effect is poor; organic acids have a low degree of dissociation, and their bactericidal effect is relatively strong. There are also differences in the bactericidal effects of different organic acids. Among them, citric acid and lactic acid have poorer bactericidal effects due to their higher degree of dissociation than other organic acids, while formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid have better bactericidal effects. Therefore, formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid are ideal organic acids with bactericidal effects.
Promote the digestion of nutrients. Acidifiers can combine with some mineral elements into complexes that are easily absorbed and utilized, promoting the absorption and retention of these elements in the body. At the same time, it can also prevent minerals from forming insoluble salts that are difficult to absorb in an alkaline environment, which affects the absorption of minerals, and is also beneficial to the absorption of vitamins.
other. Adding organic or inorganic acids can slow down the emptying rate of food in the stomach, thereby increasing the residence time of protein in the stomach and improving protein digestibility. In addition, the sour taste of some organic acidifiers is one of the favorite tastes of animals. It can induce taste bud excitement and increase feed intake. It can also mask some adverse taste reactions in the feed and improve the palatability of the feed.
