Lecithin

Feed‑grade lecithin is mainly derived from oilseeds:

• degumming of crude soybean, sunflower or rapeseed oil to separate phospholipids as the lecithin fraction
• drying and partial de‑oiling to achieve target levels of phospholipids, moisture and free oil
• optional further processing (hydrolyzed or modified lecithin) to adjust solubility and emulsifying properties to specific species requirements (aquaculture, young animals, pet food)

Egg lecithin is used in niche, high‑value aqua and pet formulations.

Aqua

In aquaculture, lecithin is a standard component of high‑quality aqua pellets:

• in starter and fry diets for fish and shrimp it improves fat emulsification and digestibility, which is crucial for early growth and feed conversion
• in grower and finisher feeds it enhances pellet firmness and water stability, reduces nutrient leaching and ensures uniform distribution of fish and vegetable oils
• it enables the formulation of high‑energy aqua feeds with elevated oil inclusion while maintaining pellet structure and palatability

Poultry

In poultry feeds, lecithin improves energy utilization from oils and the technological quality of rations:

• in broiler starter and grower diets it supports digestion of vegetable and animal fats, helping maintain average daily gain and efficient feed conversion
• in finisher diets and layer feeds it improves pellet homogeneity, reduces dust in the line and during handling, and stabilizes oils and fat‑soluble vitamins
• in high‑energy concentrates and premixes it facilitates the incorporation of higher levels of liquid fats without compromising pellet structure

Swine

In swine nutrition, lecithin is applied to optimize fat utilization and pellet quality:

• in prestarter and starter diets for piglets it improves emulsification of milk and vegetable fats, supporting stable fat digestion during transition from milk to solid feed
• in grower and finisher feeds it allows higher oil inclusion while maintaining pellet hardness and low fines
• in sow diets, especially during lactation, it helps incorporate additional energy from fats while preserving good texture and low dust levels, supporting consistent feed intake

Dogs

In dog food, lecithin is a typical functional additive in premium and super‑premium products:

• in complete dry kibble it enhances fat binding to the kibble surface, reduces oil migration and supports stable palatability over shelf life
• in wet foods, sauces and toppers it stabilizes oil‑in‑water emulsions, preventing fat separation and maintaining uniform texture
• in treats and functional snacks it promotes even distribution of fats and flavors while limiting greasiness of the product and packaging

Cats

In cat nutrition, lecithin supports high‑protein, energy‑dense formulations:

• in complete dry cat foods (especially indoor, sterilised and high‑protein lines) it facilitates the inclusion of higher levels of animal and vegetable fats without excessive kibble breakage or dust
• in wet foods (pâtés, chunks in gravy) it helps maintain a stable fat‑water interface, reducing the risk of fat separation at the top of cans or pouches
• in cat treats it enables uniform application of fats and flavors, which is important for palatability and acceptance in picky cats and single‑protein concepts