MARKET REPORT FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2024 73 radicals and protecting the animal's cells. This can improve the animal's immune system, fertility, and overall health. Feed antioxidants are preferred more day by day due to the increase in the costs of feed and feed raw materials worldwide and the realisation of the importance of preserving what is available. In addition to this, the hot and humid climate in various parts of the world makes the use of feed antioxidants compulsory in a sense. According to the researchers, for an antioxidant to be useful in animal nutrition, it must fulfill the following criteria: - It should be effective in preserving animal and vegetable fats, vitamins, and other feed qualities subject to oxidative degradation, - It should be non-toxic to humans and farm animals (i.e. chickens, pigs, fish, etc.), - It should be effective at very low concentrations and, - Its cost should be low enough. TYPES OF ANTIOXIDANTS USED FOR ANIMALS Antioxidants used for animal feeds and feed ingredients are generally divided into synthetic and natural categories. It is estimated that the use of synthetic antioxidants such as ethoxyquin, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), Propyl Gallate, TBHQ, and phosphoric acid is more common in the animal feed sector. Among the many synthetic antioxidant compounds investigated to date, the most effective one used in animal feeds is ethoxyquin, followed by BHT and BHA. Synthetic feed antioxidants are often formulated as well-defined compounds, exhibit consistent composition, and are used in precise mixtures with other pure substances. These synthetic antioxidants offer remarkable stability, accessibility, long shelf life, and cost efficiency. However, there is a growing consumer preference away from synthetic antioxidants and towards natural feed antioxidants, including plant extracts and essential oils. This preference is in line with the growing demand for natural and organic animal products. Recognised for their safety and sustainability, natural feed antioxidants are considered an important alternative to their synthetic counterparts, which can pose potential health and environmental hazards. The use of natural feed antioxidants is not only compatible with animal welfare and environmental considerations but also contributes to improved animal health, high meat quality, and an extended shelf life of animal-derived products. It is also emphasised that strict legal regulations often have a positive impact on natural products. This points to a significant potential for carotenoids, tocopherols, botanical extracts, and vitamins. FEED ANTIOXIDANTS MARKET AND FORECASTS According to a report by Market Research Future (MRF), the global feed antioxidants market was valued at USD 390 million in 2023. Company experts predict that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% during the forecast period of 2023–2030, and the total market value will reach USD 490 million by 2030.
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