1、 Core applications of feed additives
1. Adsorption of pathogenic bacteria and animal health
① Silicone purification technology: Adding 0.3% food grade silicone particles to broiler drinking water can reduce the concentration of pathogenic Escherichia coli by 42% within 5 days and increase weight gain efficiency by 7-9%.
② Intestinal microbiota regulation: 150ppm natural diatom powder (containing amorphous silica) increases digestive enzyme activity by 16% and intestinal villus density by 23% in fattening pigs.
③ Eggshell strengthening: Calcination of 200-250ppm attapulgite clay (containing nano layered SiO ₂) increases the fracture strength of eggshells by 0.9kgf and optimizes the arrangement of calcium carbonate crystals to achieve density.
2. Ruminant animal specific dosage form
① High porosity silicates regulate rumen pH fluctuations (reducing by 0.8 units), intercept 34-51% of easily fermentable carbohydrates, and reduce the incidence of mastitis by 9.6%.
② As an anti caking agent, it improves the flowability of feed and meets the quality standard of Announcement No. 2134 of the Ministry of Agriculture (HG 2791).
2、 Breakthrough in pesticide carriers
1. Dosage controlled release
① Mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with avermectin resulted in a threefold increase in drug loading and a 70% reduction in photodegradation rate. The drug efficacy period was extended to 2.5 times that of conventional formulations.
② Functionalizing MSN with salicylic acid and grafting stress resistant factors on the silicon surface can reduce the production of malondialdehyde by 40% under salt stress and reduce crop yield loss by 35%.
③ PH/enzyme dual response system, targeted release mechanism, pesticide utilization rate of 85%, reduced application frequency by 50%, and environmental residue decreased by 60%.
2. Formulation optimization
① Liquid formula: Hydrophilic gas-phase silica is used as an anti settling agent to enhance the stability of the suspension agent (SC); Hydrophobic type is used for viscosity control of oil suspension (OD).
② Solid formula: Add 0.5-1.5% fumed silica to wettable powder (WP) to improve flowability and prevent clumping.
3、 Green Circulation and Economic Value
1. Rice husk derivative process: Extracting high-purity SiO ₂ (98.9% purity) from rice husk ash, reducing carbon footprint by 62%, applied as feed anti caking agent and pesticide carrier.
2. Wastewater resource utilization: During the precipitation method production process, sodium sulfate wastewater is recovered and converted into a by-product of sodium sulfate powder, resulting in a comprehensive cost reduction of 35%.
4、 Regulations and Standardization
China: Announcement No. 2134 of the Ministry of Agriculture clarifies the legal status of silica (precipitated silica) as an anti caking agent for feed.
International: The US FDA approved silica for use in animal feed (anti caking agent/carrier) in 2020.
5、 Future direction
The targeted release technology of mesoporous carriers (such as foliar acidity responsive pesticides) and the biosynthesis of nano-SiO ₂ (using microbial synthesis) will become research and development hotspots.