Innovative Applications and Technological Advances of Diatomite Carriers in the Feed Industry

Analysis of the Characteristics and Feasibility of Diatomite Carriers for the Feed Industry

As a natural inorganic porous material, diatomite carriers play an increasingly important role in modern feed industry. Formed by the deposition of ancient diatom fossils, these carriers mainly consist of amorphous silica (with a SiO₂ content of 83-92%), possessing unique physical and chemical properties: high porosity (60-85%), large specific surface area (15-50m²/g), suitable adsorption capacity (0.5-1.2mL/g), and excellent chemical stability. These characteristics of diatomite carriers make them ideal carriers and functional matrices for feed additives and premixes.

In feed applications, diatomite carriers mainly exert their effects through three mechanisms: first, as a physical carrier for trace additives, ensuring uniform distribution of nutrients; second, using the porous structure to adsorb and protect active ingredients (such as enzyme preparations, probiotics, etc.), improving stability; third, regulating the release rate of nutrients through surface active sites. Studies have shown that feed additives based on diatomite carriers can achieve a uniformity of mixed trace components (CV value) of less than 5%, significantly superior to traditional carrier materials.

Application of Diatomite Carriers in Feed Additives

Diatomite carriers in vitamin and trace element premixes

In the production of vitamin and trace element premixes, diatomite carriers have an irreplaceable advantage as a basic material. Compared with traditional organic carriers such as corn husk powder or bran, diatomite carriers have stronger anti-hygroscopicity (water absorption rate < 8%), higher chemical stability (pH neutral), and longer shelf life. Experimental data show that vitamin A carried by diatomite carriers retains over 85% of its content after storage at 45°C for 3 months, which is 20-30% higher than traditional carrier materials.

The application of diatomite carriers in compound trace element premixes is particularly successful. Through special surface modification treatment, diatomite carriers can simultaneously load multiple trace elements such as copper, iron, and zinc without reacting with each other. After a large feed enterprise adopted diatomite carrier-based premixes, the uniformity of trace element distribution in the feed (CV value) decreased from 12% to below 5%, and the coefficient of variation of animal production performance significantly decreased.

Diatomite carriers in feed enzyme preparations and probiotics protection

In feed enzyme preparations and probiotic products, diatomite carriers mainly play the following roles: protecting active ingredients from being damaged by gastric acid; controlling the release rate of active substances; improving the fluidity and dispersibility of the product. The finely processed diatomite carriers (with pore diameters of 0.1-1μm) can form an ideal microenvironment, significantly improving the survival rate of probiotics in storage and the digestive tract.

Studies have shown that Bacillus subtilis preparations based on diatomite carriers retain over 10⁹CFU/g of viable bacteria after 6 months of storage at room temperature, with a survival rate in the gastric acid environment increased by 40-60%. In feed enzyme preparations such as phytase, diatomite carriers not only play a stabilizing and protective role, but also contain natural silicon elements that can produce a synergistic effect with enzymes, increasing the retention rate of enzyme activity by 15-25%.

Silicon dioxide carrier in functional feed additives

In high-end functional feed additives such as mycotoxin adsorbents and sustained-release amino acids, the silicon dioxide carrier demonstrates unique value. By regulating the pore structure and surface properties of the silicon dioxide carrier, specific adsorption products for different mycotoxins can be developed. Tests have shown that the appropriately modified silicon dioxide carrier can have an adsorption rate of over 90% for aflatoxin B1, without affecting the nutritional components in the feed.

In sustained-release amino acid products, the multi-level pore structure of the silicon dioxide carrier enables the gradient release of amino acids, meeting the nutritional needs of animals at different growth stages. A silicon dioxide carrier-based lysine sustained-release product developed by a certain enterprise increased the lysine utilization rate of broilers in the later growth stage by 18%, and improved the feed conversion rate by 5-8%.

Technological innovation and performance optimization of silicon dioxide carriers

Surface modification technology

To improve the performance of the silicon dioxide carrier in feed applications, various surface modification technologies have been developed in the industry:

1. Organic modification: Using silane coupling agents or surfactants for treatment, enhancing the compatibility of the silicon dioxide carrier with organic active components;

2. Inorganic modification: Modifying the surface with metal ions (such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) to regulate surface electrical properties and adsorption characteristics;

3. Biological modification: Functionalizing with biological molecules (such as chitosan) to increase the carrying capacity for specific nutrients.

Structural regulation technology

Optimizing the microstructure of the silicon dioxide carrier through physical and chemical methods:

Acid activation treatment: Using hydrochloric acid to remove impurities and increase the specific surface area and active sites;

Grading technology: Using air flow grading to obtain particle size distribution suitable for different applications (feed grade usually 50-150 μm);

Pore structure regulation: Optimizing the pore diameter distribution through calcination or hydrothermal treatment to increase the loading rate of specific components.

Composite enhancement technology

Combining the silicon dioxide carrier with other functional materials:

Combing with organic materials: Such as silicon dioxide carrier - β-glucan complex, which combines adsorption and immunomodulatory functions;

Combining with nanomaterials: Such as nano-zinc oxide modified silicon dioxide carrier, improving antibacterial performance;

Combining with clay minerals: Such as silicon dioxide carrier - montmorillonite composite material, enhancing toxin adsorption capacity.

Performance tests show that the optimized silicon dioxide carrier can increase the stability of active components by 30-50%, and the release performance in the simulated digestive tract environment is more controllable. For example, the survival rate of probiotics carried by modified silicon dioxide carrier in simulated gastric juice increased from 20% to over 65%. 

Application Cases and Effect Evaluation

Application Case of Pig Feed Premix

A large-scale pig farm achieved remarkable results after adopting silicaceous soil carrier-based vitamin premix:

The storage loss rate of vitamin A and D₃ decreased by 40%;

The uniformity of feed mixture (CV value) improved from 8.5% to 3.2%;

The uniformity of pig growth increased by 15%, and the time to reach market weight was shortened by 3-5 days;

The incidence of diseases caused by vitamin deficiency decreased by 60%.

Case of Probiotic Products for Poultry

In the rearing of broilers, the silicaceous soil carrier-based probiotic formulation performed well:

The number of intestinal lactic acid bacteria increased by 2-3 orders of magnitude;

The feed conversion rate improved by 4-6%;

The incidence of necrotic enteritis decreased by 70%;

The ammonia concentration in the chicken house decreased by 30%, and the environmental improvement was significant.

Case of Aquatic Feed Additives

The silicaceous soil carrier-based mycotoxin adsorbent for fish feed showed significant effects:

The adsorption rate of aflatoxin in water was >85%;

The liver damage index of fish decreased by more than 50%;

The feed yield rate increased by 8-10%;

The mortality rate decreased by 40-60%.

Performance Comparison Data

Compared with traditional carrier materials, the silicaceous soil carrier products performed excellently in multiple indicators:

| Performance Indicators | Silicaceous Soil Carrier Products | Traditional Carrier Products |

| Stability of Active Components | High (loss rate < 15% / 3 months) | Medium (loss rate 20-30% / 3 months) |

| Uniformity of Mixture (CV) | <5% | 5-10% |

| Hygroscopicity | Low (water absorption rate < 8%) | Medium-High (water absorption rate 10-20%) |

| Chemical Inertness | Excellent (no reaction with active components) | General (possible reaction) |

| Functional Expansion | Can be enhanced through modification | Limited |

Industry Development Trends and Challenges

Technical Development Trends

1. Precise Nutrient Carrier: Develop specialized silicaceous soil carriers for different animal breeds and growth stages;

2. Intelligent Release System: Research environment-responsive silicaceous soil carriers to achieve precise nutrient release;

3. Function Integration: Endow silicaceous soil carriers with more functions, such as immune regulation and intestinal health promotion;

4. Green Processing Technology: Optimize silicaceous soil carrier production processes to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Market Development Prospects

The global feed additive market is expected to reach 45 billion US dollars by 2025, with an annual growth rate of approximately 5.5%. Due to its performance advantages and sustainable characteristics, the share of silicaceous soil carrier products in the feed carrier market is expected to increase from the current 15% to 25-30%. Particularly in the following areas, there is significant growth potential:

- High-end aquatic feed;

- Antibiotic-free feed solutions;

- Functional premixes;

- Special animal feed.

Facing Technical Challenges

1. Standardized Production: How to achieve batch stability of silicaceous soil carrier performance;

2. Detection Methods: Establish a rapid evaluation system for the functionality of silicaceous soil carriers;

3. Regulatory Adaptation: Meet the regulatory requirements for feed additives in different regions;

4. Cost Control: Reduce the cost of modification while ensuring performance.

As the feed industry develops towards precision, functionality, and greenness, the importance of silicaceous soil carriers will continue to increase. Through material innovation, process optimization, and application research, silicaceous soil carriers are expected to become the core matrix material of the next generation of feed additives, providing important support for the sustainable development of the livestock industry. It is expected that the market demand for silicaceous soil carriers for feed will grow at an average annual rate of 7-9% over the next five years, and technological progress will enable them to play a greater role in the field of animal nutrition.