What is biotin?
Biotin is a sulfur-containing B vitamin. Only the D-biotin isomer is biologically active. In the body it is bound to carboxylase enzymes that are needed for fatty acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis (making glucose) and the breakdown of certain amino acids.
Microbes in the gut, and in ruminants the rumen, produce some biotin, but this does not always meet the needs of fast-growing or high-producing animals. Much of the biotin in feed ingredients is bound and only partly available, and the availability from wheat and barley is known to be low compared with corn or soybean meal.
What does biotin do in animal feed?
- Poultry: supports skin and feather development; deficiency is linked to foot pad dermatitis, cracked skin around the beak and feet, and perosis. In broilers it has also been associated with fatty liver and kidney syndrome.
- Pigs: supports skin and hoof integrity; deficiency can cause hoof lesions, cracks and hair loss, so biotin is commonly included in sow diets.
- Dairy cattle: supplemental biotin is widely used to support hoof horn quality and claw health.
- Horses: used in hoof supplements to support hoof wall quality; results take months because hoof horn grows slowly.
- General metabolism: required for energy metabolism and fat synthesis in all species.
Forms and sources of biotin
- D-biotin (crystalline, at least 98% pure): too concentrated to mix directly, so it is pre-diluted.
- Biotin 1% or 2%: D-biotin diluted on a carrier, the usual form for premixes; formulation is based on the declared active content.
- Natural sources: corn, soybean meal and yeast contain biotin, but its availability varies between ingredients and is low in some cereals.
- Antagonists: avidin in raw egg white binds biotin, and mouldy or rancid feed can reduce biotin availability.
How is the biotin supply assessed?
Biotin is dosed in very small amounts, expressed in micrograms or milligrams per kilogram of feed. Nutritionists consider the species and production stage, the share of wheat and barley in the diet, and specific goals such as foot pad or hoof health. In ruminants and horses, supplementation aimed at hoof quality is usually given over long periods. The product label and local regulations should be followed.
Quality criteria
- Declared active content (for example 2% D-biotin) confirmed by analysis; only the D-isomer counts.
- Homogeneity of the dilution: because inclusion rates are tiny, the biotin must be evenly distributed on the carrier.
- Carrier type, particle size and flowability for uniform mixing in the premix.
- Stability: biotin is fairly stable in premixes but should be protected from strong oxidising conditions and moisture.
- Certificate of analysis (CoA) and lot traceability.
CTF Premix and biotin
Biotin can be included in CTF Premix's vitamin, vitamin-mineral and custom premixes according to the customer's formulation, for example in poultry premixes or in premixes aimed at sow and dairy cow hoof health. Its very low inclusion rate makes controlled dilution and mixing essential. Production takes place at our Ankara facility under ISO 9001:2015 and GMP; each lot has a certificate of analysis and can be traced on the batch verification page of our website.
This page is for general information. Inclusion rates and product choice should be decided with a nutritionist, taking into account the species, the feed formulation and the applicable regulations.