Feed phosphates

Inorganic Feed Phosphates

Inorganic feed phosphates (IFP) are inorganic salts of phosphoric acid. The use of inorganic feed phosphates is necessary to meet the phosphorus requirements for animal production: to ensure optimal growth, fertility and bone development.

The importance of phosphorus (PO₄³⁻) is reflected in the number of metabolic functions in which the element takes part. By far the greatest portion of phosphorus is devoted to maintain and support the skeleton. About 80% of the animals phosphorus is located here, co-precipitated with calcium (Ca) in the form of hydroxy-apatite complex (Ca₁₀(PO₄)6(OH)₂), where it acts not only as a support system but also as a reservoir of phosphorus. In the soft tissues, phosphorus is a major component of the cells, membranes and body fluids. But also plays an important role in the energy supply. In addition phosphorus acts as a buffer, is involved in phospholipids and fatty acids transfer, in the formation of amino acids and in makes part of DNA and RNA. Therefore, phosphorus is indispensable for live and animals cannot live without.

Phosphates occur widely in nature mostly as phosphate rock or fluorapatite. Large deposits exist in Russia, USA, North Africa, China, where they are obtained mostly by open cast mining. Over 85% is used in fertiliser production and only less than 7% in feed phosphate production. Two types of deposits exist; of volcanic and of sedimentary origin.

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