An emulsifier is a molecule with a water soluble (hydrophilic) part and a fat soluble (lipophilic) part. The combination of these two characteristics in one molecule gives it the unique property that the emulsifier can dissolve as well in fat, as in water, and can aid in mixing the two fractions. Different types of emulsifiers are commercially available. When choosing an emulsifier, the concept of Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) is important. The HLB gives a value to how fat or water soluble an emulsifier is. The scale ranges from 0 to 20. The lower the HLB, the more lipophilic or fat soluble the emulsifier becomes. The higher the HLB, the more water soluble or hydrophilic the emulsifier will be. Due to the fact that an animal consumes approximately twice as much water as feed, the intestine is a very watery environment. The goal of a nutritional emulsifier is to optimise the emulsification and micelle forming in the intestine, and therefore an emulsifier with a high HLB is most preferred.
Excential Energy Plus is a nutritional emulsifier with a very high HLB (very water soluble). This HLB is much higher than that of emulsifiers such as lecithin and lysolecithin. Because of this high HLB Energy Plus is very efficient as a nutritional emulsifier and improves fat and energy digestibility, leading to a lower cost price and a more economical and sustainable animal production. The effect has been demonstrated in a broad range of trials, as well in scientific intsitutes as in practice. Please check the publications below for the latest information.