What is vitamin B6?
Vitamin B6 is a group of three related pyridine compounds: pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine, along with their phosphates. All can be converted in the body into pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the active coenzyme.
Plant ingredients contain vitamin B6, partly in bound forms of limited availability, and some is lost in processing and storage. For a reliable supply, pyridoxine hydrochloride, a white crystalline and water-soluble salt, is added to vitamin premixes.
What does vitamin B6 do in animal feed?
- Amino acid metabolism: PLP is the coenzyme of transaminases and decarboxylases, enzymes that build, break down and interconvert amino acids.
- Protein level: because B6 works mainly in amino acid metabolism, the need tends to increase with dietary protein and with high growth rates.
- Blood formation: PLP is involved in haem synthesis; deficiency can lead to anaemia.
- Nervous system: needed for the synthesis of several neurotransmitters; severe deficiency can cause nervous signs such as convulsions, particularly in young poultry.
- Other links: involved in converting tryptophan to niacin and in glycogen breakdown.
- Ruminants: rumen microbes normally synthesise enough vitamin B6, so supplementation mainly concerns pigs, poultry, fish, pets and young calves.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride: grade and conversion
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the standard feed form of vitamin B6. By molecular weight it contains about 82.3% pyridoxine, so 1 g of pyridoxine corresponds to about 1.22 g of pyridoxine hydrochloride.
Specifications may express vitamin B6 either as pyridoxine hydrochloride or as pyridoxine, so the basis must always be stated. Diluted forms on a carrier are sometimes used to improve distribution at low inclusion levels; in that case the dose is calculated from the declared vitamin content of the dilution.
How is the vitamin B6 supply assessed?
Nutritionists set vitamin B6 levels per kilogram of feed according to species, age, production stage and dietary protein level, and allow for losses during processing and premix storage. Breeding animals and fast-growing young animals receive particular attention. Local regulations and the product label prevail.
Stability and quality criteria
- Assay (purity) on the dried basis, identity and a certificate of analysis (CoA) for each lot.
- Stability: pyridoxine hydrochloride is one of the more stable B vitamins in premixes and during pelleting, but it is sensitive to light and to prolonged exposure to moisture and heat.
- Low moisture, good flowability and a particle size suited to even distribution.
- Storage in closed, light-protected packaging in a cool, dry place.
CTF Premix and vitamin B6
Pyridoxine hydrochloride can be included in CTF Premix's vitamin, vitamin-mineral and custom premixes according to the customer's formulation, with the declaration basis agreed in the specification. 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.