Ammonia (NH₃) is a toxic and irritating gas that can accumulate in poultry farms and negatively affect air quality and, consequently, productivity and animal welfare. Ammonia emissions are the result of microbial degradation of nitrogen components present in excreta. The main components of excreted nitrogen are undigested proteins and uric acid, representing 30 and 70% of the total nitrogen excreted, respectively. Enzymes such as uricase and urease are involved in nitrogen metabolism, partly giving rise to the volatile ammonia that accumulates in the farm environment. In addition, this gas can react with other acidic gases present in the environment, such as HCl, nitric acid and sulfuric acid, producing secondary inorganic aerosols and causing an increase in the load of suspended particles in the air.

It is estimated that the annual production of ammonia per bird is 0.26 to 0.32 Kg, depending on the type of the bird and age. Under farm conditions, the concentration of ammonia in the environment should be below 20 ppm, above this level disorders begin to be observed. In the respiratory tract, this gas affects the surface of the tracheal mucosa, from its paralysis to the total loss of the cilia of the epithelial cells, including the necrosis of the mucosal epithelium. The type and degree of injury will depend on the concentration of the gas in the environment and the time of exposure. In addition, birds are more susceptible to Newcastle disease, colibacillosis, airsacculitis, pododermatitis, ascites and dermal and ocular lesions. All described causes a decrease in productive parameters and, consequently, economic losses.

Ammonia volatilization rates in poultry houses are higher during warm weather periods than during cold weather periods. But it is during cold periods when more ammonia accumulates in the environment due to a ventilation deficit to save on heating. In fact, ammonia concentrations are higher in natural ventilated poultry houses than in mechanical ventilated ones. Three challenges have been described in the literature studying the ammonia effect on animal health: (1) the lack of affordable technology to frequently monitor ammonia concentration; (2) the lack of affordable technology to compensate for the variations of gas concentrations; (3) the lack of safety of the technology described. For example, the cost of a sensor can range from $400 to $3,500, and its replacement around $500.

There are two ways to control and reduce ammonia emissions: reduction at source and elimination of the gas flow before it is dispersed into the environment. The first one is very difficult to reduce as it has to do with the bird’s diet (protein) and, the second one, different strategies have been defined such as ventilation, biofiltration, optimization of litter management and others.

Biovet S.A. has developed Alquernat Yucca, a natural additive that reduces the concentration of ammonia on farms.

The product is made from:

• Saponins
  • Antimicrobial activity (limited)
  • Inhibition of ureases
  • Direct union with ammonia
  • Decreases ammonia volatilization
• Phenolic compounds
  • Direct union with ammonia
• Cimenol ring
  • Boosts antimicrobial activity
  • Increases the product’s deodorizing activity

Thus, Alquernat Yucca reduces ammonia volatilization and, therefore, improves air quality, productive values and animal welfare. For example, it has been proven in our own trials that A. Yucca reduces the concentration of ammonia gas on farms by more than 60% in layers (see graph), reducing it to levels without causing health disorders. This translates into improvements in productive values both layers, as well as in breeders or fattening hens and in more economic benefits.

References

• Jones, L., Nizam, M. S., Reynolds, B., Bareham, S. & Oxley, E.R.B. (2013). Upwind impacts of ammonia from an intensive poultry unit. Environmental Pollution, 180, 221-228.
• Wood, D. J. & Van Heyst, B.J. (2016). A review of ammonia and particulate matter control strategies for poultry housing. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 59 (1), 329-344.
• Wlazło, L., Nowakowicz-Debek, B.,  Kapica J., Kwiecien M. & Pawlak, H. (2016). Removal of ammonia from poultry manure by aluminosilicates. Journal of Enviromnmental Management, 183, 722-725.