The concentration of ammonia in the air is a concealed issue that generates irritation of the mucous membranes that are in contact with the ammonia coming from urine and feces decomposition. The ammonia irritates the respiratory epithelium, the eyes, the digestive mucosa, and the epidermis.

The lesions produced by the ammonia irritation cause less absorption of nutrients, higher diseases prevalence, especially respiratory, and plantar lesions. Also, the quality of the air is diminished, which generates additional stress in the animals. All these conditions affect animal productivity and economic performance.

An experimental trial with a natural deodorizer was carried out in order to reduce the environmental ammonia concentration in a pig farm. The natural deodorizer used was based on active molecules of plant origin, including saponins, phenolic compounds and cimenol ring.

Saponins have an important antimicrobial activity and inhibit ureases, which are enzymes responsible for ammonia production. Moreover, they decrease ammonia volatilization, among other functions. Phenolic compounds act as antioxidants and can also bind to ammonia and transform it into less toxic compounds. The cimenol ring is an added value that complements and enhances the antimicrobial effect of saponins, achieving stronger antimicrobial activity, and better deodorization effect.

Aim of the trial

To evaluate the effect of a natural deodorizer on the environmental ammonia concentration in a pig farm.

Experimental design

The trial had a duration of 5 days, in which the ammonia concentration levels were recorded 3 times per day at specific hours: from 6 to 7 a.m., from 12 to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m.

The natural deodorizer was administered in the drinking water at a dose of 0.125 ml/L for 5 days to 396 pre-fattening pigs.

Results

The highest ammonia concentrations were recorded in the first two measurements of the first day. When the treatment began, the concentrations markedly decreased in the passing of days until reaching 6 ppm. A significant difference in concentration was seen between the morning and evening measurements. The ammonia concentration was higher in the morning, since, frequently, ventilation is poor at night. This difference between morning and evening has been reduced thanks to the use of natural deodorizer.

Conclusions

The application of a natural deodorizer in the drinking water can help to reduce the environmental ammonia concentration from the first day of treatment. Values below 10 ppm were achieved at the 5^th day of treatment, which meant a reduction of 85% compared to initial values.

This finding is remarkable because it reduces the risk that ammonia implies on animal health and welfare. This significant reduction of ammonia in the environment, allows to increase the comfort of the animals through the reduction of bad odour and decreases the environmental contamination, thus reducing stress and the predisposition to secondary diseases.

The natural deodorizer used in this trial is a product developed by Biovet S.A. and marketed under the name of Alquernat Yucca.