pHormasil®: A Safe and Effective Option for Acidification of Swine and Poultry Feed and Drinking Water
pHormasil® products are concentrated liquid solutions based on formic acid, an FDA-approved feed acidifier. By reducing pH, pHormasil® products may effectively inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella spp., E. coli, and Clostridia. pHormasil® products are manufactured domestically in compliance with FAMI-QS standards, ensuring the highest level of safety, quality, and traceability in feed additive production.
Why pHormasil®?
Formic Acid is one of the strongest organic acids available, is sustainable, and readily biodegradable. In comparison to formaldehyde, a common feed preservative used in the US, formic acid is not considered a potential cancer risk to workers and has been reported to enhance nutrient digestibility¹. Research indicates that when used as a feed amendment, formic acid and its salts also suppress harmful bacteria² leading to improved animal performance and productivity³.
Regulatory Status
Formic acid is approved for use in poultry feed up to 1.2%, as outlined in 21 CFR §573.480. Sodium Formate is also approved at the same level under 21 CFR §573.696. Sodium hydroxide, used as a buffering agent, is classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) under 21 CFR§582.1763. All active ingredients in pHormasil® products are listed in the AAFCO Official Publication.
1 – Tung and Pettigrew, 2006; García et al., 2007; Abdollahi et al., 2020
2 – D. V. Bourassa et. al., 2018
3 – K.M. Feye et.al., 2021; D. Luise et.al., 2020
Product Options
pHormasil® 85
pHormasil® 85 is an unbuffered 85% formic acid solution used for feed acidification where corrosion isn’t a concern. pHormasil® delivers strong acidification power and is effective at low inclusion rates, making it ideal for drinking water acidification and pH control with minimal cost.
It’s recommended to add pHormasil® 85 to the complete feed or to bulk feed ingredients.
pHormasil® Na
pHormasil® Na is a buffered form of the product, composed of a mixture of formic acid and sodium formate with a pH value of approximately 2.6.
pHormasil Na offers safer handling, less corrosion of equipment and a comparable activity level to pHormasil 85 in similar applications.
pHormasil® 85 Characteristics:
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, colorless to slight yellow solution |
| Active Substance | Formic Acid (85%) |
| Specific Gravity | 1.19—1.21 |
| Shelf Life | 365 days |
| Storage Recommendation | 55 – 95°F |
pHormasil® Na Characteristics:
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, colorless solution |
| Active Substance | Formic Acid (≤ 61%), Sodium Formate (≥ 20.5%) |
| Specific Gravity | 1.29—1.32 |
| Shelf Life | 720 days |
| Storage Recommendation | 55 – 95°F |
Hawkins is a domestic company and a key supplier of agricultural water treatment chemicals. With over 80 years of chemical expertise, Hawkins is equipped to minimize supply chain disruptions, supply you with quality products and provide exceptional service. We are a business-to-business supplier, manufacturer, blender, and distributor of water treatment chemicals. We only sell to companies, municipalities, government entities, and not to individuals.
Request a Quote!
For pricing or more information please provide your organization’s contact information below.