Reasonable Application Methods of Allicin Feed Additives

Allicin has the effect of improving the growth environment of livestock and poultry. The volatile sulfur-containing compounds in allicin can not only give off a special garlic odor to drive away mosquitoes, flies and insects from biting and sucking feed or manure, but also, under the action of enzymes in the bodies of livestock and poultry, be converted into allicin and excreted from the body to prevent mosquitoes and flies from breeding and growing in manure and urine, thereby improving the surrounding environment.

Allicin has an anti-disease effect on livestock and poultry. Allicin can effectively kill various pathogenic bacteria such as Shigella dysenteriae, Pasteurella, Salmonella enteritidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and has functions such as enhancing resistance to viral diseases and replacing some antibiotic drugs in livestock and poultry diets as well as promoting growth. Compared with antibiotic drugs, it is low in price, leaves no drug residues, can improve the flavor of livestock and poultry products, and enhance meat quality. In livestock and poultry production, carrying out research on the application and development of allicin as a substitute for antibiotics is an important prerequisite and guarantee for ensuring the healthy growth of livestock and poultry, producing pollution-free livestock products, and achieving efficient and sustainable development of the breeding industry, thereby effectively improving economic benefits.

Direct application of garlic products

In major garlic-producing areas, directly applying fresh garlic to feed is relatively economical. Generally, fresh garlic is mixed with corn, crushed and used directly, which can effectively utilize the active ingredients in garlic; the general dosage is 1%-2%. Garlic can also be dried and made into dry powder and then added to feed; the general dosage is about 0.5%.

Application of allicin preparations

The active ingredient of allicin is chemically synthesized and then made into commercial allicin with a certain effective content. It is convenient to use, requires a small dosage, and is the most common method. The commonly used commercial allicin has an effective content of 15%-25%. When selecting it, pay attention to its effective content, especially the effective content of diallyl trisulfide, the active ingredient in garlic. Generally, the content of diallyl trisulfide in allicin should be above 60%. Allicin is a volatile substance and cannot withstand pressure or high temperatures. Some allicin products are treated with special technologies such as coating, so that the allicin can withstand high temperatures and maintain garlic aroma for a longer time, making them more suitable for products that need high-temperature granulation. Therefore, they should be reasonably selected according to actual conditions.

Dosage

If the dosage of garlic is too small, the effect is not obvious; if the dosage is too large, in addition to waste, the effect may also be counterproductive. The dosage should be reasonably determined according to the type of animal and the characteristics of different growth stages, combined with the effective content of allicin, so as to maximize the effect of allicin and save production costs. Under normal circumstances, using 50 g-100 g of allicin per ton of livestock and poultry feed has a good effect. When using raw materials such as fish meal and cottonseed meal, as well as flavoring agents and antioxidants, the dosage should be appropriately increased.

Application according to growth stage

Although allicin can be used in all periods of animal life, during the brooding period and weaning period, as well as for some animals in poor health, because their immunity is relatively low and their resistance to disease is not strong, it is best to use it together with some other additives to broaden the antibacterial spectrum, enhance antibacterial ability, and improve its effect in feed. Allicin has no compatibility contraindications and can be used together with antibiotics and other additives, and generally does not produce antagonistic effects.

Application effects of allicin in livestock production

Experiments show that when laying hens were given 50 mg, 67 mg, 84 mg, and 100 mg of allicin per kilogram of diet respectively, compared with breeding hens fed feed without added allicin, the egg production rates increased by 2.73%, 5.95%, 11.10%, and 7.83% respectively, with significant differences. Tests on dairy cows show that allicin can give concentrated feed a rich natural aroma and has a strong feeding-attraction effect on dairy cows. Statistics show that the daily milk yield of each dairy cow can be increased by 2.28 kg, the roughage intake can be reduced by 0.08 kg/day, and the daily income can be increased by 6 yuan-8 yuan. In tests on lactating sows, it was found that allicin can increase the feed intake of pigs. Tests on piglets weaned for 15 days to 28 days show that feeding feed supplemented with 100 mg/kg of allicin increased the daily weight gain of piglets. The feed-to-meat ratio decreased, and compared with piglets fed feed without added allicin, the difference was significant.