The use of organic acids as preservatives is well researched. As these products suppress mould and bacterial pathogen growth, they maintain the nutritional value of feed as well as improve nutrient digestibility. They make a fundamental contribution to feed hygiene and safety, animal health and performance. Devenish has developed two moisture managing products, SmartMoisture and SmartMoisture S.
Stabilising propionic acid SmartMoisture and SmartMoisture S consist of a combination of propionic acid esterified to glycerol, buffered formic acid, and surfactants. It is 30% more concentrated than any other product on the market due to the stability of the glycerol esters. The propionic acid esterified to glycerol is a novel process used to buffer and stabilise propionic acid (Figure 1). It increases retention time of propionic acid in feed ensuring longer lasting microbial inhibition. Glycerol acts as a humectant and emulsifier and can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight. The surfactant reduces the water’s surface tension to feed, therefore improving moisture distribution. Glycerol and the surfactant improve water absorption into feed particles and helps to stabilise water activity. SmartMoisture S is similar to SmartMoisture except that the ratio of buffered formic acid to buffered propionic acid is different.
A meta-analysis conducted on data collected from eight commercial feed mill trials showed that the addition of SmartMoisture increased moisture retention by 98.2%, improved pellet durability by 13.4% and reached a maximum water activity of 0.64 on feed with a moisture content of 12.4%. In an aqua-feed trial, the product achieved and stabilised water activity below 0.55 even at a 4% moisture increase over
the control (Figure 2). Similar water activity results were also observed in a pet-food trial. This allows aqua feed and pet food to be dried off and shipped at a higher moisture content, thereby increasing yield and profitability. Studies conducted on both products have consistently shown total Enterobacteriaceae count of below 2,400 cfu/g on moisture challenged feed. It is clear that good moisture management is crucial for feed hygiene and safety, as well as animal health and performance.
If you would like to know more about how SmartMoisture can improve the financial, operational and sustainability performance of your feed mill, register for our webinar on 12th May by visiting
www.smartmoisture.com/webinar
Figure 2- Water activity of aqua-feed at different levels of SmartMoisture inclusion.
0.80 0.75 0.70 0.65 0.60 0.55 0.50 0.45 0.40 0.35 0.30
4.00 5.00
aW pet Linear (aW pet)
aW fish 6.00 7.00 Linear (aW fish) 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00 12.00
aW fish 0.5 kg SmartMoisture Linear (aW fish 0.5 kg SmartMoisture)
▶ FEED SAFETY | APRIL 2022 aW fish 1 kg SmartMoisture
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