Bentonite is used as a binder in the feed pelletizing industry. By absorbing excess moisture and oils, bentonite aids in the free movement of pellets, preventing lumping and caking. Research indicates that bentonite has additional benefits for both animals as well as poultry. Bentonite used in the feed slows the digestive system and enables the animal or fowl to better utilize the feed nutrients.

Bentonite is an absorbent Aluminium Silicate Clay mineral formed from Volcanic Ash & used in various Adhesive, Cement & Ceramic Fillers. Different varieties of Bentonite exist, with different dominant elements, namely, potassium, sodium, calcium and aluminium.

Bentonite is usually sourced from weathering of volcanic ash, reacting with water in its surroundings. Commercially, two classes of Bentonite are popular, the sodium dominant bentonite and the calcium dominant bentonite.

Major industrial uses of bentonite include, drilling mud, binding, purifying and adsorption as a ground water barrier.

Calcium Carbonate is an essential mineral for the healthy growth and development of livestock and domestic animals. It plays an important role in the metabolic process, retention and conversion of nutrients and regulates cell activity. It also supports healthy bone and skeleton development in young livestock. Calcium is one of the main minerals needed by animals to grow, develop and produce.

Occurring naturally in rocks as minerals – calcite and aragonite are abundantly found in the environment. ‬This compound has multiple applications, from acting as a Calcium supplement to being used as agricultural lime. In animal feed, calcium carbonate plays a vital role. Levels of calcium in regular animal diets are generally low. When an animal suffers from calcium deficiency, it results in growth and metabolic disorders. To avoid this, it is necessary to include a source of Calcium in animal diets. ‬ Calcium Carbonate is an excellent supplement because of its ability to increase calcium absorption from the diet.

It imparts an acidic/sour taste that some animals find appetizing. In addition, it can limit pathogenic colonization in the gut and improve non-specific immunity. A weak tribasic acid, citric acid is organic in composition. A vital part of metabolism in most living organisms, citric acid is widely prevalent in nature. One of the main constituents of citrus fruits like grapes, guavas and oranges is citric acid.‬ Citric acid prevails in two major forms, the anhydrous or water-free form and the monohydrate form. The anhydrous form is crystallized by application of hot water, whereas the monohydrate form is extracted using cold-water crystallization. Monohydrate and anhydrous forms are interchangeable under specific temperature and pressure conditions. ‬ Citric acid has extensive applications in the animal feed industry. This acid, which is an important part of many metabolic pathways in all-living organisms, is a necessary addition to animal diets. Inadequate levels of citric acid results in disorders like scurvy. ‬

Caustic soda is used in the Sodagrain process. It is a process of treating grain with Pearl Caustic Soda. It is a simple, effective means of on-farm processing of whole grain for cattle feed. Soda grain can improve forage and total feed intake, leading to increased milk yield and quality in Dairy Cattle and better weight gains.

Caustic soda or lye is another name for the compound Sodium Hydroxide. An inorganic white compound, caustic soda is available in pellets, granules solutions and flakes. Caustic soda flakes are soluble in water, ethanol and methanol. ‬ The food industry employs caustic soda for chemical peeling and softening purposes. Similar uses are applied to fodder given to domesticated animals. Caustic soda, being alkaline, aids in the prevention of acidosis in the animals. Caustic soda application is also an effective way of animal food preservation.

Dextrose Anhydrous is widely used as a Buffering Agent in veterinary medicine and as a nutrition supplement in Agriculture/Animal Feed to enhance nutrition value.

Dextrose or glucose is the smallest building unit, or monomer of the starch chain of polymers. It is a form of sugar that is generally present in the body. In crystalline form, Dextrose has multiple uses such as acting as a filler for oral dosage or as a sweetener to render other severe tasting medicines edible.

Dextrose also functions as a texturizer, owing to its crystalline structure and properties well-suited for filing purposes. Anhydrous implies the state of being devoid of water. In this state, Dextrose readily dissolves in water and most liquid media, increasing the body’s absorptive ability of this sugar.

Characteristics of Dextrose include high clarity, solubility and sweetness. It’s solubility and energy conversion are responsible for its use in treating Hypoglycaemia (low body sugar levels).

Glycerin is also a great additive to any bio digester feedstock that contains ample nitrogen but lacks energy content. Glycerin acts as a carbon source and as a significant energy source.

Also known as glycerol, glycerine is a simple, colourless polyol compound. Glycerine is odourless, viscous, sweet to taste and non-toxic. Comprising of three hydroxyl groups, glycerine is highly soluble in water and has hygroscopic properties. Glycerol has a triglycerides backbone, similar in structure to all lipids. ‬ Glycerine has extensive applications in the food industry, as solvent, sweetener, preservative, thickening agent and food additive. ‬ In animal feed, glycerine is known for its high-energy production properties. Cattle fed with glycerine-enriched animal feed improve in feeding efficiency, weight gain and yield.

Magnesium is an essential nutrient for all animals, serving a variety of vital functions within the body. In dairy cattle, magnesium also helps raise the butterfat content of the milk and neutralizes acidosis caused by high amounts of grain in their diet. The balance of magnesium performs an important role in utilization of calcium, which is released from bone into the bloodstream.

A white, hygroscopic and solid mineral called Magnesia or magnesium oxide is a popular source of magnesium and a vital nutrient for all animals. Magnesium oxide is responsible for a number of crucial body functions.

Inadequate magnesium in animal diets results in several disorders, including severe metabolic disorder ‘Grass Tetany’. Magnesium is also integral to the production of fat in milk, utilization of calcium and prevention of acidosis, all of which are affected by low magnesium levels. ‬

Since grass found in pastures generally lacks magnesium, supplementing it is animal diets is necessary.

Malto Dextrin is used in animal feed, because its digestibility is greater than that of starch. Its digestion is also less rapid as compared to dextrose or lactose type sugars.

Primarily, a polysaccharide, Malto Dextrin is most commonly used as a food additive. Widely present in soft drinks, candies and other processed food; this hygroscopic food additive is a white spray-dried powder that is either partially sweet or flavourless. ‬ Malto Dextrin is extracted from starch, usually cornstarch or wheat starch, using an enzymatic process. Malto Dextrin acts as nutrition supplement in several food products as it can be easily digested. With more efficient digestibility than starch, Malto Dextrin is the preferred source of Glucose in animal feed. Used in multiple ways, as nutrient carriers in sprays, excipients in tablets and fillers in food, Malto Dextrin is an indispensable part of animal diets.

A complete food with protein, starch and digestible fibre, maize gluten is in high demand as animal feed. It is known to contain building blocks required to improve yield in terms of milk, protein and fats.

Popular as pet food, maize gluten is an excellent source of amino acids like cysteine. Most livestock and poultry feeds have, maize gluten as a component.

Studies have been done to fully determine all the implications of using sugar in animal feed diet. The feeding of sugar to livestock is a new concept in animal feed technology. However, research indicates that using sugar in dairy cow feed has the potential to produce good quality meat and milk.

Sugar is short chain, soluble carbohydrates, widely used to sweeten food products. Sugars exist is various forms, largely categorized as simple and complex sugars. Simple sugars, termed ‘monosaccharide’s, include glucose, fructose sand galactose. These sugars are made up of repetitive units of similar building blocks. Complex sugars or ‘disaccharides’, such as sucrose, maltose and lactose are made of a combination of smaller dissimilar units of simple sugars. Longer chains of sugars are termed as ‘oligosaccharides’.‬ Molasses and other such bi-products when used as animal feed act as primary sources of sugar. All other exceptions require sugar supplements. Sugar has been proven to cause increased profitability when incorporated into animal diets by accelerating metabolism and thereby productivity and yield.

The high oil content sunflower meal is an excellent feed source for dairy. Most modern dairies supplement fat in feed rations for lactating cows. The high fat sunflower meal eliminates the need for some or all of the fat supplement requirements. Sunflower extract is an economical and high-quality feed for animals. Also referred to as sunflower meal or diary meal, this animals food source is known for being a balanced nutrition provider that in turn ensures high yield in milk year round. ‬Sunflower extract is one of the best sources of protein for livestock – chicken, cattle and pigs. It is also rich in fiber, oil, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B. A complete source for nutrition, sunflower extract can act as a substitute for other food, eliminating the need for additional feeding. ‬