3) Promote digestion of nutrients
As mentioned above, feed acidifiers can promote the activation of zymogens, especially pepsinogen, thereby improving protein digestion. In addition, acidifying agents can be combined with some mineral elements into complexes that can be easily absorbed and utilized, and promote the absorption and retention of these elements in the body. At the same time, it can prevent minerals from forming insoluble salts that are not easily absorbed in an alkaline environment, which affects the absorption of minerals and also facilitates the absorption of vitamins (such as VA, VD). Adding propionic acid to the diet of broilers can increase the elasticity, compressive strength, and bone calcium content of the cheekbones, and the bone calcium content is positively correlated with the amount of propionic acid added to the diet.
4) Other
The addition of organic or inorganic acids can slow down the emptying rate of food in the stomach, thereby increasing the residence time of the protein in the stomach and improving the digestibility of the protein. In addition, the acidity of some organic acidifiers is one of the favorite tastes of animals, which can induce the excitement of taste buds and increase the feed intake. At the same time, it can also mask some bad taste reactions in the feed and improve the palatability of the feed.
Some opinions suggest that organic acids can directly participate in body metabolism and provide energy for animals. It is true that some organic acids are important intermediate products in the process of energy conversion. In theory, they can participate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and ultimately provide energy for animals. However, because the total amount of external acidifiers is small and expensive, it is obviously not economically advantageous to use organic acids as energy sources.