ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2026 77 with different types of organic acids, water acidifier products which consist of a buffered and unbuffered free blend of organic acids, and at the correct concentrations work best for optimal performance. THE BENEFITS OF USING ORGANIC ACIDS TO MAINTAIN WATER HYGIENE Acidifying drinking water with organic acids improves water hygiene and provides the following benefits: • Reduces biofilm formation and associated pathogen burden caused by species such as E. coli and Salmonella, • Promotes growth of beneficial bacteria e.g. lactobacilli, • Encourages water and feed consumption, • Supports digestion and gut health. References Deumić, S., El Sayed, A., Hsino, M., Glamočak, A., Crnčević, N., & Avdić, M. (2025). Investigating the Effect of Iron Salts on E. coli and E. faecalis Biofilm Formation in Water Distribution Pipelines. Water, 17(6), 886. https://doi.org/10.3390/ w17060886 About Annie Metcalf Monogastric Technical Sales Manager for the UK at Azelis, Annie Metcalf specializes in nutritional solutions for pig and poultry production. Initially started her career as a pig nutritionist, Metcalf transitioned into this broader monogastric technical sales role with Azelis in Jan 2023. She completed a ‘poultry feed, nutrition, and development’ post graduate professional development at the University of Edinburgh in 2024 Working closely with feed manufacturers and producers, Metcalf delivers technically driven, practical strategies that optimise animal performance, gut health, and water quality management. Annie Metcalf focuses on translating scientific insight into commercially viable applications for modern livestock systems. Perstorp’s the ProPhorce™ Water Solutions range consists of three products, all formulated with an optimal combination and high concentrations of both buffered and free organic acids. Buffered organic acids do not dissociate as readily in the drinking water and therefore target the gut environment. This helps lower the pH of the small intestine, promoting the activity of beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus. In contrast, unbuffered organic acids dissociate in the drinking water to lower the water pH and aid water sanitisation. This combination ensures a steady and stabilised reduction of the water to an optimal pH of 4. When organic acids dissociate, they form organic acid salts. These salts can be utilised by beneficial bacteria to produce gut-enhancing compounds such as butyric acid, which plays a key role in maintaining tight junctions. Following dosing recommendations is essential to avoid underdosing and to make water lines less habitable for bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Depending on individual farm needs, the ProPhorce™ Water Solutions range also includes organic acid blends enriched with additional additives, such as the essential oil cinnamaldehyde for further antimicrobial effects, and monoglycerides of butyric acid (butyrin) to further support gut health throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Since animals consume at least twice as much water as feed – and tend to drink rather than eat when stressed or compromised by a health challenge – a fortified ProPhorce™ Water Solution provides a cost-effective option to maintain water hygiene and enhance bird performance. Water Acidification Options
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