The Value of Synthetic Diaminomonocarboxylic Acid (lysine) in Chicken Nutrition

Abstract

This review highlights the current information on the bio-utilization, economic importance and environmental issues of synthetic diaminomonocarboxylic acid (DMA) otherwise called lysine in chicken nutrition. Synthetic DMA is bio-available more than the natural form, which occurs both in animal and plant products used to formulate diets for chicken. Utilization of the natural lysine could be hampered by anti-nutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitors, saponins, hemaglutinins and fibers present in the products. Heat processing of protein feedstuffs such as soybean meal is also implicated in poor utilization of natural DMA by chickens. High heat of processing or prolonged exposure to heat reduces availability of lysine in soybean meal. Total removal of synthetic DMA in a feed formula could lead to inadequate nitrogen utilization, high cost of the diet and increased contamination of the environment by nitrogen compounds such as nitrites and nitrates. Nitrogen compound contaminants emanate from high fecal nitrogen associated with increased level of dietary animal and plant proteins such as soybean meal and fishmeal in the absence of synthetic DMA. Thus, inclusion of synthetic DMA in chicken feed is good practice in terms of its economic and environmental benefits.

Keywords: Diaminomonocarboxylic acid, lysine, chicken, protein feedstuff, nitrogen compounds