Evaluation of various betaine sources and investigations on the stability of vitamins in dependence on the supplementation of choline chloride or different betaine sources

Betaine is used mainly in animal nutrition as a methyl group donor and may be used to replace choline chloride, which is generally regarded as hygroscopic and difficult to handle. In the past, betaine was obtained exclusively from sugar beet, today however, various chemically bound forms from different manufacturing processes are available. The biological properties (bioactivity) of the different origins and production methods are frequently debated, although on the effect of betaine numerous publications are available (Eklund et al. 2005, Ratriyanto et al. 2009). In particular, the osmoregulatory properties of chemically synthesized betaine hydrochloride compared with those produced from natural betaine sources i.e. sugar beet are in question. On the other hand also betaine monohydrate and anhydrous are criticized for being very hygroscopic, and thus negatively influencing the stability of feed.