Cinnamaldehyde in the Feed Additive Industry: Q&A

1. How stable is cinnamaldehyde, and what factors affect its color? What causes discoloration? What chemicals can it interact with? Is propylene glycol a suitable solvent, or are there better options?

Answer: The product needs to be stored sealed, and nitrogen is added for protection at the factory. It oxidizes and discolors when exposed to air. It is soluble in alcohols, ketones, benzene, toluene, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

2. What should workers do if their hands turn yellow or they develop allergies after contact with cinnamaldehyde?

Answer: It is harmless to humans, though some individuals may have allergic reactions. Ensure proper ventilation, wear masks, and use leather gloves to avoid skin contact. If allergic, clean with alcohol and soap; usually, the condition will resolve without medical attention.

3. If cinnamaldehyde content is 99.2%, what is the remaining 0.8%, since it can't be all water?

Answer: The remaining 0.8% consists of water, benzaldehyde, and polymers like trimers and dimers of acetaldehyde.

4. What does cinnamaldehyde break down into after entering the digestive system of humans or animals?

Answer: It degrades into phenylalanine, a nutritional component.

5. Is there any residual acetaldehyde in cinnamaldehyde?

Answer: No, acetaldehyde is unstable and volatile, and it converts completely.

6. What is the definition of antibiotics in animal feed?

Answer: Antibiotics are chemical substances added in low doses to animal feed for extended periods to prevent disease, enhance nutrient metabolism, promote healthy growth, and improve performance.

7. What are some alternatives to antibiotics in animal feed?

Answer: Alternatives include feed acidifiers, probiotics/prebiotics, antimicrobial peptides, enzyme preparations, and plant essential oils.

8. What is the main drawback of plant essential oils like cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol in animal feed?

Answer: Their stability outside the body is poor, they have high loss rates inside the body, and they are prone to evaporation and oxidation.

9. What are the benefits of blending essential oils in animal feed?

Answer: Different essential oils can have synergistic or antagonistic effects. With proper ratios, they can maximize antibacterial efficacy and target a wide range of harmful bacteria.

10. What pathogens is cinnamaldehyde most effective against in feed additives?

Answer: Cinnamaldehyde has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium.

11. Does cinnamaldehyde help prevent ulcers and improve gastrointestinal motility?

Answer: Yes, it works by preventing digestive enzymes from eroding the mucous lining of the digestive tract and increasing blood flow, which prevents ulcers and enhances gut motility.

12. Does cinnamaldehyde leave any residue in animals after consumption?

Answer: After 24 hours, 5% of cinnamaldehyde is excreted in feces, 90% in urine, and the remaining 5% is metabolized into nutrients like phenylalanine, leaving no residue.

13. Can cinnamaldehyde improve feed utilization?

Answer: Yes, it can increase nitrogen retention in animals by more than 7%, improving feed efficiency.

14. Given cinnamaldehyde’s tendency to oxidize and its poor water solubility, can it be used in aquatic feed?

Answer: Yes, by encapsulating cinnamaldehyde in microcapsules, oxidation can be prevented, and its water solubility can be enhanced. The most common methods include hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin encapsulation and microencapsulation using emulsifiers like propylene glycol and polysorbate 80.

15. Besides cinnamaldehyde, what other essential oils are used as antibiotic substitutes in feed?

Answer: Other options include carvacrol, oregano oil, thymol, eugenol, and thyme oil.

16. What are the advantages of cinnamaldehyde as a plant essential oil in animal feed?

Answer: Cinnamaldehyde has strong antifungal and antibacterial properties, promotes gastric acid secretion, enhances digestion, stimulates appetite, and improves palatability.

17. Is it necessary to add attractants or flavor enhancers if cinnamaldehyde is used in feed?

Answer: Cinnamaldehyde’s natural aroma boosts animals’ appetite, so feed containing it usually does not require additional flavorings or attractants.

18. What is the main antibacterial mechanism of cinnamaldehyde?

Answer: The aldehyde group (CHO) in cinnamaldehyde is hydrophilic and is absorbed by bacteria's hydrophilic surfaces, penetrating the cell walls and disrupting the polysaccharide structure, thereby exerting antibacterial and antifungal effects.