Betaine (Betaine Anhydrous / HCl) Supplier South Africa

What Is Betaine?

Betaine (trimethylglycine) is a naturally occurring compound found in sugar beets, wheat bran, and seafood. It serves two primary biochemical functions in animals: as an osmoprotectant that maintains cellular hydration under heat or osmotic stress, and as a methyl donor that spares dietary methionine and choline in one-carbon metabolism, reducing feed costs while maintaining performance.

Performance and Cost Benefits

Supplemental betaine in poultry diets consistently improves body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and breast meat yield, particularly under hot climates. In swine it promotes lean tissue deposition and reduces backfat. The methyl-sparing effect allows partial replacement of L-methionine and choline chloride in diet formulation, providing a cost-efficient route to maintaining amino acid balance and liver function.

Grades and Availability

Terracore Chemicals supplies betaine anhydrous and betaine HCl in feed grade. Both forms are bioavailable; betaine HCl contains about 78% betaine versus 100% for anhydrous. We stock both in bulk bags and can advise on the most economical form for your specific application and local inclusion rate requirements.