What is valine?
Valine is one of the three branched-chain amino acids, together with leucine and isoleucine. Animals cannot synthesise it, so it is an essential amino acid. It is used for protein synthesis in muscle and other tissues and can also be broken down for energy, mainly in muscle.
Soybean meal and many animal proteins are good valine sources. In reduced-protein diets, where less soybean meal is used and the classic limiting amino acids are supplied in crystalline form, valine often becomes the factor that limits performance.
What does it do in animal feed?
- Growth and feed intake: an insufficient valine supply reduces feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency in pigs and broilers.
- Low-protein diets: supplementing valine allows crude protein to be reduced further while maintaining performance, which can lower nitrogen excretion.
- Sows: valine is studied for its role in milk production and litter growth during lactation.
- Immune and gut function: as an essential amino acid, valine supports tissue maintenance and immune responses.
Interaction with leucine and other BCAAs
The three branched-chain amino acids share enzymes for their breakdown. A large excess of leucine, which is common in diets rich in corn, corn gluten or blood products, can increase the breakdown of valine and isoleucine and so raise their effective requirement. For this reason nutritionists look at the balance between the BCAAs, not only at valine alone.
Forms and how the requirement is assessed
Feed-grade valine is L-valine produced by bacterial fermentation and supplied as a high-purity crystalline powder; the guaranteed content is stated in the product specification and certificate of analysis.
Valine is formulated on a digestible basis, usually as a ratio to digestible lysine. The appropriate ratio depends on species, age, the protein level of the diet and its leucine content. Synthetic L-valine is added to cover the shortfall once the earlier limiting amino acids are balanced.
Quality criteria
- Guaranteed L-valine content and purity.
- Moisture, ash, heavy metals and microbiological quality.
- Particle size and flowability for even distribution in premixes and feed.
- Certificate of analysis (CoA) and lot traceability.
CTF Premix and valine
Valine can be included in CTF Premix's vitamin, mineral and custom premixes according to the customer's formulation, alongside other amino acids, vitamins and trace minerals. Our premixes are produced at our Ankara facility under ISO 9001:2015 and GMP, and every lot is supplied with a certificate of analysis and full lot traceability.
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.