What is the use of DL-Methionine in feed?

DL-Methionine, also known as methylthioalanine, is an important type of amino acid. Adding DL-methionine to feed can enhance nutritional content and assist animals in rapid growth over a short period. It is also an essential amino acid for ruminant animals, mainly used for protein synthesis. Protein in animal products originates from the protein in feed. DL-Methionine serves as a fortifier and a nutritional additive to balance amino acids in protein feed. Feeds containing DL-methionine can promote the growth of ruminant animals in a short time. Lack of DL-methionine in ruminant animals can lead to poor development, weight loss, weakened liver and kidney function, muscle atrophy, and deteriorated fur.

1. Promotion of Growth and Improvement of Productivity: DL-Methionine can synthesize body proteins in animals and quickly convert to cysteine to meet their needs. It provides active methyl for the synthesis of choline, keratin, nucleic acids, and other methylated compounds. Adding appropriate amounts of DL-methionine to ruminant animal feed improves feed conversion rate and the utilization of protein materials, thus increasing efficiency. Adding DL-methionine to poultry feed effectively enhances poultry productivity, promoting egg production and improving egg quality.

2. Enhancement of Animal Immunity: Protein and amino acid levels in diets affect animal immune function. Increasing dietary methionine levels raises antibody titers, immunoglobulins, and lymphocyte transformation rates in animal sera. Additionally, dietary methionine levels also affect cell-mediated immunity. This can enhance the absorption of other nutrients in ruminant animals, improve resistance, and reduce mortality rates.

3. Hepatoprotective Effects: DL-Methionine is beneficial for protecting the liver during metabolism. Insufficient methionine intake increases urea and non-protein nitrogen in the blood and promotes fat deposition in the liver.

4. Detoxification: Aflatoxin is a metabolite of Aspergillus flavus, possessing mutagenic, immunosuppressive, and carcinogenic properties. DL-Methionine can bind with mycotoxins in feed, reducing their toxicity. DL-Methionine also has an inhibitory effect on mold. Adding DL-Methionine to feed can prevent or control the decomposition of nutrients by mold.