Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3) Feed Grade Supplier South Africa

What is Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3)?

Nicotinic acid is the acid form of niacin (Vitamin B3), distinguished from nicotinamide (the amide form) by its vasodilatory activity at high doses. Both forms are converted in the body to NAD⁺ and NADP⁺, the coenzymes central to energy metabolism. Nicotinic acid has been widely studied in dairy cattle nutrition because of its capacity to modify lipid metabolism during the transition period.

Role in Animal Nutrition

In dairy cattle, supplemental nicotinic acid at 6–12 g per day during the close-up and early lactation period has been shown to reduce plasma non-esterified fatty acids and improve energy balance, supporting milk yield and reducing the severity of ketosis. In poultry, nicotinic acid prevents pellagra (black tongue and dermatitis) particularly in corn-sorghum based diets where niacin availability from bound forms is limited. The tryptophan-to-niacin conversion pathway has limited efficiency in poultry.

Supply & Packaging

Terracore Chemicals supplies feed-grade Nicotinic Acid in 25 kg bags from certified manufacturers. We provide technical support for inclusion rate recommendations in transition cow programs and poultry diets, with full batch CoA and traceability documentation across South Africa.