Choline is commonly classified as a vitamin. It belongs to the family of water soluble B-vitamins. It is also known as vitamin B4. Like the other vitamins, it plays a significant role in nutrition, but its daily requirement seems to be hundred of times greater than of other vitamins.

Choline was first isolated from hog bile (“chole” in Greek) in 1849. Its nutritional importance has been recognised since the 1930's and it is now a common dietary supplement for animals and humans alike. The adequat intake levels (AI) for adults equal 550/425 mg per day depending on the gender (M/F). The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is 3.5 g/day. Choline is always present in a salt form. Choline chloride is by far the most important form used in feed additives.

 Choline has three essential metabolic functions :

• As a constutuent of phospholipids, improving fat transport and cell construction
• As a precursor in the synthesis of acetylcholine, which interacts in muscle control
• As a source of free methyl groups, essential to numerous biological processes

Background information on the dosing of choline chloride in feed can be found in the article “Choline-the rediscovered vitamin”. More detailed information on optimum dietary intake of choline chloride for different species and the natural prevalence of choline in feed ingredients, can be found on the Taminco CD-ROM “Technical Manual for Choline Chloride”.

Taminco markets Choline chloride aqueous solutions with a concentration up to 75 % world wide. Choline chloride 75 % is available in bulk, drums and IBC's. In Asia, Taminco also markets Choline chloride on vegetable carrier as 50 % and 60 % grades. On the other continents choline chloride on vegetable and silica carrier can be obtained from our partners.