What is choline chloride 70%?
Choline chloride is synthesised as a concentrated solution, and the 70% liquid is essentially that solution standardised for feed use. Because no carrier is added, every kilogram delivered is active substance and water, which is why large mills often find it the most economical way to buy choline.
The nutritional role of choline is the same whatever the grade and is described on our general choline chloride page. This page covers the liquid product: its composition, how it is stored and dosed, and how to convert from powder grades.
Who uses the liquid grade?
The 70% liquid suits mills that produce large tonnages of poultry, pig or aquafeed and already run liquid lines for oil, molasses or liquid amino acids. Choline is then dosed straight into the mixer as its own ingredient, completely separate from the vitamin premix.
This separation is a practical advantage: choline chloride is hygroscopic and can accelerate the loss of sensitive vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin K₃ and some B vitamins when the two are stored together in a concentrated premix. With liquid choline, the premix can be formulated without choline and the vitamins only meet choline in the diluted, finished feed.
Storage and handling of the liquid
- Tanks: use materials recommended by the supplier, typically stainless steel or suitable plastic or lined tanks; check material compatibility in the safety data sheet (SDS).
- Temperature: concentrated solutions can crystallise in cold weather, and the risk is higher for 75% than for 70%; insulated or heated tanks and lines may be needed in cold climates.
- Closed systems: keep tanks closed to limit moisture pick-up and contamination; check vents and filters.
- Personnel: follow the SDS for eye and skin protection when connecting hoses or cleaning nozzles.
- Shelf life: rotate stock and follow the expiry date on the CoA; avoid topping up old product indefinitely.
Dosing in the mixer
Liquid choline is normally metered by mass (load cells or a mass flow meter) or by volume corrected with the product's density from the specification, then sprayed onto the dry ingredients in the mixer. Good distribution depends on nozzle design and position, spraying while the mixer is running, and enough wet-mixing time after the liquid is added.
Mixing uniformity should be verified when the system is installed or changed, for example with a mixer homogeneity test, because poorly atomised liquid can form small lumps rich in choline.
70% or 75%, and conversion from powder
The 75% solution carries a little more active substance and less water per kilogram, but is more prone to crystallisation at low temperatures; the 70% solution is easier to handle in cool conditions. Whichever is used, the formulation should be based on the actual analysed content.
Conversion is simplest on a choline chloride basis. To replace 1.0 kg per tonne of 60% powder, use 1.0 × 60 ÷ 70 ≈ 0.86 kg of the 70% liquid (or 0.80 kg of 75%). To replace 1.0 kg of 50% powder, use 1.0 × 50 ÷ 70 ≈ 0.71 kg of 70% liquid. The carrier that is no longer added must be replaced in the formula, usually by the main cereal or another bulk ingredient.
Quality checks on delivery
- Choline chloride assay against the declared 70%, and choline content with its basis.
- Appearance and colour: clear liquid without sediment or crystals at delivery temperature.
- Trimethylamine (TMA): a strong fishy odour suggests residual TMA or degradation.
- Heavy metals and other parameters as listed on the supplier's specification.
- Certificate of analysis (CoA) for each lot or tanker, with lot number and dates, and clean, dedicated transport containers.
CTF Premix and choline chloride 70%
Liquid choline chloride is dosed at the feed mill rather than inside a dry premix. CTF Premix can formulate vitamin, vitamin-mineral or custom premixes to work alongside the customer's 70% or 75% liquid choline, or include a dry choline chloride grade where the formulation requires it; our technical team takes the choline source into account when designing the premix. All premixes are produced at our Ankara facility under ISO 9001:2015 and GMP, every lot has a certificate of analysis, and lots can be checked through the batch verification page on 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.