What is folic acid?
Folate is the general name for a group of compounds with vitamin B9 activity. Folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid) is the fully oxidised, synthetic member of this group. It is a yellow to orange crystalline powder, more stable than the natural folates in feedstuffs, and is converted in the body into tetrahydrofolate, the active coenzyme.
Tetrahydrofolate carries one-carbon units used to build purines and thymidine for DNA and RNA, and works closely with vitamin B12 in recycling methionine from homocysteine. For this reason folate and B12 status are usually considered together.
What does folic acid do in animal feed?
- Poultry: supports growth, feathering, blood formation and, in breeders, hatchability. Deficiency is associated with anaemia, poor growth, poor feathering and, in coloured breeds, loss of feather pigmentation.
- Pigs and sows: folate needs are high wherever cell division is rapid, such as in early pregnancy and in the developing embryo; for this reason sow and gilt diets are commonly supplemented.
- Ruminants: rumen microbes synthesise folate, so adult cattle and sheep normally do not require supplementation; supplementation in high-yielding dairy cows is a subject of research.
- Fish and companion animals: dietary folic acid is required and is included in standard vitamin packs.
Forms and sources
Green forages, oilseed meals and some animal by-products contain natural folates, but these are largely present as polyglutamates, vary considerably and are sensitive to heat, light and oxidation. Cereal grains are generally modest sources. Supplemental folic acid gives a defined, more stable source.
- Crystalline folic acid: high-purity powder used by premix manufacturers.
- Diluted forms: spray-dried or adsorbate products on a carrier, designed for better flow and more even distribution at the very low inclusion rates involved.
How is the inclusion level assessed?
Folic acid is included at very low levels, so dosing accuracy and uniform distribution in the premix are critical. Nutritionists set the level according to the species, production stage and performance targets, giving particular attention to breeders and sows. Interactions with vitamin B12, methionine and choline, and losses during pelleting and storage, are also taken into account. Local regulations and the product label prevail.
Quality criteria
- Assay of folic acid on a dry basis.
- Water content and related impurities.
- Particle size and flowability: essential for even distribution at low inclusion rates.
- Stability: folic acid is sensitive to light and to acidic conditions, so light-protected packaging and dry storage are recommended.
- Certificate of analysis (CoA) and lot traceability.
CTF Premix and folic acid
Folic acid can be included in CTF Premix's vitamin premixes, vitamin-mineral premixes and custom premixes according to the customer's formulation, for example in breeder, layer and sow programmes. Production takes place at our Ankara facility under ISO 9001:2015 and GMP, with mixing procedures suited to low-inclusion micro-ingredients and lot traceability backed by a certificate of analysis for every batch.
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.