Myco-Lock®500 NC; Protecting the Value of Your Feed
In our previous blog, “Mold growth – is it eating away the value in your feed?” we covered the effects of mold, how it grows and the protection mold inhibitors provide. Although by definition, mold inhibitors have the same job of killing mold, you’ll learn that they are not all the same. Through understanding how Myco-Lock 500 NC works and stacks up against other mold inhibitors, you can see how Myco-Lock 500 NC is the product of choice for mold control.
Myco-Lock 500 NC, manufactured by Trouw Nutrition USA, is a granulated and buffered product containing a label-guaranteed 50% propionic acid (the highest buffered propionic acid product in the United States). This ammoniated propionic acid, created through a patented manufacturing process, readily disperses throughout feed to deliver ultimate mold protection. In addition to its effective mold inhibitor qualities, Myco-Lock 500 NC maintains palatability, extends shelf life and is safe for manufacturing facilities and their employees.
Why Propionic acid?
Propionic acid has been the proven industry standard for effectively reducing mold growth in feed.
How is Myco-Lock 500 NC different from other mold inhibitors?
Trouw Nutrition USA uses a patented process to react pure propionic acid with ammonia. This process produces a buffered propionic acid that reduces corrosiveness and aroma while sustaining the mold fighting power. If you look at other mold inhibitor products, you will notice that they only guarantee total acids on the label and not specific concentrations like Myco-Lock’s 50% propionic acid. This is important because blended organic acid products typically contain combinations of propionic, acetic and other organic acids like sorbic or benzoic, allowing the company to change the inclusion rate of the main ingredient (propionic acid) without having to change the label. The higher the amount of organic acids, the lower amount of propionic acid. This equates to a product that is far less effective in controlling mold.
Most mold inhibition products with a higher pH are made with neutralizing agents such as calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide to reduce the corrosion and aroma of the product. Although these beneficial properties are achieved, they lose their effectiveness in mold inhibition because they have too little available non-dissociated acid to inhibit mold growth. Myco-Lock 500 NC uses ammonia as the buffering agent, which is a weak base. This easily releases the propionic acid so it can enter the mold cell, disrupt the environment and kill off the cell.
The power is in the propionic acid
Myco-Lock 500 NC has a recommended starting inclusion rate of 4 pounds per ton of feed to provide 2 pounds of propionic acid per ton of finished feed. Other mold inhibitors often have an inclusion rate of 1 pound per ton of feed to provide around 0.4 pounds of propionic acid per ton of finished feed, once again limiting the efficacy of the mold inhibitor.
Stop mold growth before it starts. Call your local Stutsman dealer or your Stutsman Territory Sales Manager to learn more about Myco-Lock 500 NC.