choline chloride

What is choline chloride

Choline chloride name is vitamin B4. Can be produced during animal metabolism. Therefore, a considerable number of scholars do not advocate classifying it as a vitamin. However, due to its role as a donor of methyl groups and its important role in nerve and fat metabolism, choline has attracted much attention as an additive ingredient in feed. Choline occurs naturally in green plants, grains, beans, and yeast. It is rich in fish meal, meat and bone meal and offal meal. Research shows that most animals can synthesize choline in their bodies, but the amount and speed of synthesis cannot fully meet the needs of the animal body. Therefore, choline chloride needs to be chemically synthesized and added to the diet to make up for the deficiency.

The feed product is choline hydrochloride, usually called choline chloride. The aqueous solution is a viscous liquid, of which 70% and 75% liquid choline is used in the feed industry. Powdered products containing 50%, 60% and 70% choline chloride can be made by adding excipients such as corn cobs, rice husk powder or silicon dioxide to a 70% aqueous solution of choline chloride. Choline chloride powder products, if not sealed or packaged and isolated, can easily absorb moisture, so they should be sealed and stored in a dry place. Choline chloride has a destructive effect on vitamins A, D, E and other B vitamins, so it should not be added directly to the vitamin premix. Choline chloride is measured in weight units.

2. Chemical structure and molecular weight

The molecular formula of Choline is C5H15NO2, molecular weight: 121.16; the molecular formula of Choline Chloride is C5H14NOCl, molecular weight: 139.63. Its structural formula is shown in the figure:

Converted according to the molecular weight of the pure product, the same amount of choline chloride is only equivalent to 121.16/139.63≈87% of choline, that is, 139.63/121.16≈1.15 times the amount of choline chloride is needed to replace the unit amount of choline. The theoretical basis is equimolar substitution.

3. Physiological functions and deficiency diseases

Physiological functions of choline: (1) Choline is necessary for the synthesis of various phospholipids (leophospholipids, cephalin, and sphingomyelin). Constitutes cell membranes and lipoproteins, maintaining normal cell structure and function. Participate in the formation and maturation of cartilage matrix; (2) Choline is an important participating and regulating substance in the synthesis, metabolism, and transport of fat in the liver and body; (3) Choline is an important component in the synthesis of acetylcholine and plays an important role in nerve signal transmission. Role; (4) Choline is similar to methionine and betaine in metabolism and can provide methyl groups required for biochemical processes.

Choline deficiency may lead to: ① Lipodystrophy, hepatic steatosis (fatty liver syndrome); ② Bone and joint deformity, tendinosis and short bone disease in chickens; ③ Stunted growth of animals, causing disease in young livestock and poultry high risk in death.