ProFresh Plus

Profresh Plus is a dry granular buffered propionic acid based preservative for use as a TMR stabilizer and in processed animal feeds and silage. Profresh Plus contains a slow release formula to give effective prolonged control of aerobic spoilage yeast and mold growth in animal feeds, resulting in higher retained feed value for livestock.

Yeasts and Molds in Feed

Microbial deterioration of grain, feedstuffs and animal feed is of great concern to all segments of the production animal industry. Molds are a group of microorganisms that cause deterioration of grains or feeds, various infections in livestock and intoxication due to the formation of mycotoxins in feedstuffs. It is reported that as much as 25% of the world's cereal grains may be contaminated with mycotoxins. Since mycotoxin production and feedstuff deterioration are caused by the growth of molds, it is critical to understand mold growth and know how to control it.

Molds reproduce by forming spores on a specialised structure known as a mycelium. This structure serves to raise the spores above the material upon which the mold is growing. The spores are then carried by air currents to other environments where spore germination occurs, followed by rapid mycelial growth and sporulation can take place. On a single aerial mycelium, literally thousands of spores can be produced. Due to the widespread distribution of these spores, molds are regarded as ubiquitous, that is, they are present in virtually all niches in our environment.

Molds are widely spread in crops, grains and forages. Molds evolve through several stages during their life span. The vegetative stage is where a mold is actively growing and reproducing It is this stage that is the most dangerous to feed and animals. The vegetative mold is relatively sensitive to its surrounding environments. The spore stage is where a mold is dormant, allowing the mold to endure very harsh environments, e.g. hot or cold temperature, dry conditions. When the environment is suitable, a mold spore will germinate and become a vegetative mold.

Characteristics of Mold Growth

• Growth at relative humidity in excess of 70%
• Rapid growth in presence of available nutrients.
• Growth over wide range of temperatures and pH
• Oxygen is the most limiting factor affecting mold growth.

Signs of Mold Growth in Grains or Feeds

• Caking of feed.
• Feed that comes out of self-feeders slowly or needs to be "pounded down" at times during the year.
• Occasional feed refusal by animals for no apparent reason.
• Slight "off-aroma" of feed grains.
• Heating in feeds or grains.
• Darkening of feed grains.

Effect of Mold Growth on Feed

1. Nutrients:

   Mold growth reduces vitamin and amino acid content. Compared to normal grain moldy grain can contain:

   Thiamine:	49% less
   Niacin:	25% less
   Lysine:	45% less
   Total amino acids:	21% less



2. Energy:

   The energy content of molded grain may be less than half of that of unmolded grain.



3. Mycotoxins:

   Many of the molds commonly found in feedstuffs can produce mycotoxins.

   • Aspergillus flavus produces Aflatoxin
   • Penicillium cyclopium produces Ochratoxin
   • Fusarium tricinctum produces Trichothecenes
   • Fusarium roseum produces Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone.

Effect of Mold and Mycotoxins on Animals

• Depressed animal performance
• Lower feed consumption
• Poor feed conversion
• Less resistance to disease
• More chronic health problems
• Reproduction problems, eg. low fertility, abortion.

Effective control of mold growth is the key to preventing deterioration and/or mycotoxin formation in stored grains or feeds. There are many chemicals available on the market which can inhibit mold growth. Among them propionic acid has been widely used in both food and feed industries as a mold inhibitor because of its broad spectrum of mold inhibition and low toxicity.

Effect of Organic Acids on inhibition of molds in feed at 13% moisture content

The extent of mold growth in feed can be determined by measuring carbon dioxide production in feed.

Effect of Profresh Plus on inhibition of molds in feed.

Packaging:: Profresh Plus is packaged in 50lbs foil-lined bags.

Ingredients: Propionic acid, ammonium hydroxide, vermiculite, calcium bentonite.

Directions: Apply Profresh Plus to feed and total mixed rations (TMR) at the time of processing at the rates given below. Accurate determination of moisture content at the time of treatment is necessary for proper application and maximum protection. Failure to properly apply the product may result in heating and spoilage. High levels of mold contamination may require higher levels of treatment to achieve adequate control. Use adequate skin and eye protection .

Profresh Plus can also be successfully used to reduce top spoilage in silage:

• Apply Profresh Plus to top 6 inch layer of silage.
• Apply 5 lbs Profresh Plus per ton of silage in top layer of bunker.
• Apply 0.5 lb Profresh Plus per square yard of silage surface.
• Apply 1.0 lb Profresh Plus per square yard of silage shoulder surface.
• E.g. A bunker 9 yds wide and 18 yds deep = 162 sq. yds. @ 0.5 lb/sq. yd, need 81lbs of Profresh Plus over surface.

For further information about ProFresh Plus please click here.