The term organic acid is used for organic compounds with acidic properties. The structure of organic acids is based on the carbon skeleton. The most common organic acids are: butyric, fumaric, formic, propionic, sorbic, acetic, citric and malic acids and their salts. Organic acids are found in pure form in plant and animal organisms. However, they are also obtained naturally. When organic acids are used and metabolized in the animal body, carbon dioxide and water are released. Based on this feature, today organic acids are used in animal nutrition and compound feed production as a preservative and yield-enhancing additive. With the ban on the use of antibiotics in recent years, organic acids have replaced them in animal nutrition.
Organic acids are mostly used to prevent the growth of mycotoxin-producing molds in feed and raw materials. Mycotoxins reduce the productivity of animals and cause health problems and even deaths. Organic acids also increase the storage time of feeds and raw materials in warehouses. Compound feed raw materials are generally contaminated with yeast, fungi and bacteria. When they find a suitable environment, they multiply rapidly and reduce the productivity of animals fed with these feeds and even cause serious health problems in animals.
