CHOLINE CHLORIDE

What is Choline?

Choline (2-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium hydroxide) is an important nutrient for animals, often classified as one of the B group of vitamins.  Since it is a strongly basic and hygroscopic material, choline is mostly supplied and used as the neutral chloride salt.   

Why is Choline important?

Choline deficiency generally results in weakness, depressed growth, poor nutrient utilisation and susceptibility to infection, particularly in young animals.  Older animals can also suffer derangements in lipid metabolism and display reduced fertility, poor egg production etc.

Functionally, choline has three essential roles:-

• As a constituent of phospholipids it is essential in the building and maintenance of cell structure, as well as ensuring normal maturation of the cartilage matrix of bone, including the prevention of perosis in broilers
• As a precursor for acetyl choline synthesis, the transmission agent for impulses along the sympathetic nervous system
• In fat metabolism in the liver, aiding utilisation and export of fat, so preventing abnormal accumulation of fat within liver cells (‘fatty liver’)

Choline also acts, along with methionine and betaine, as a source of metabolic methyl groups.

Usage indications

The amount of choline chloride to be added to the diet depends on the type and age of animal.  The composition of the feed is also important both in terms of ‘background’ supply and availability thereof. Typical dietary supplementation levels are as follows:-

• Broilers 500 – 800 ppm
• Layers 250 – 500 ppm
• Growing pigs 100 – 250 ppm
• Breeding pigs 350 – 550 ppm
• Calves 100 – 250 ppm

Products

Choline chloride is available in the following forms:-

• 75% aqueous solution (bulk and IBC’s)
• 60% on vegetable carrier (25 kg bags)
• 50% on silica carrier (25 kg bags)  

Also available is COL-24, a unique rumen protected source of choline chloride, typically containing 25% active ingredient. COL-24 is produced using the patented MICROPEARLS® spray freezing encapsulation process, protecting against rumen breakdown allowing slow release further down the digestive tract. Trial reports available on request.

..........................................
DOWNLOAD A DATASHEET

Choline chloride datasheet - Click on the icon and 'save to disk'
PDF documents are read using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
This is available for download for all popular computer platforms.
If you don't already have Acrobat Reader you can download it at Adobe.com.