Swine diets based on grains, particularly corn, are routinely supplemented with pantothenic acid. Field cases of pantothenic acid deficiency were frequently observed prior to the routine inclusion of supplemental pantothenic acid in swine diets made up chiefly of plant protein (Miller and Kornegay, 1983). Scott (1966) indicated that the pantothenic acid requirement for poultry may have to be increased 60% to 80% because of a lack of availability from bound forms in feeds. This would likely be true for swine. Southern and Baker (1981) estimated that the pantothenic acid present in both corn and dehulled soybean meal was 100% bioavailable. The bioavailability of pantothenic acid in barley, wheat and sorghum, however, was estimated to be only 60% based upon chick growth bioassay. Clinical pantothenic acid deficiency signs appear to be completely reversible, if not too far advanced, by oral treatment or injection with the vitamin followed by restoration of an adequate level of pantothenic acid in the diet.
Because pantothenic acid has poor stability and poor handling properties, the calcium salt of pantothenic acid (calcium pantothenate) is the commercially available source of this vitamin for feed fortification. Calcium pantothenate shows good stability in feeds during manufacturing and storage.
Feed-grade calcium pantothenate products are available in a number of potencies. Products that are sold on the basis of racemic mixture content can be misleading and confusing. To avoid confusion, the label should clearly state the grams of d-calcium pantothenate or its equivalent per unit weight and the grams of d-pantothenic acid.
A straight racemic mixture (90%) is available to the feed industry, but its hygroscopic and electrostatic properties contribute to handling problems.
Verbeeck (1975) reported calcium pantothenate to be stable in premixes with or without minerals and regardless of the mineral form. Losses of calcium pantothenate may occur in premixes that are extremely acidic in nature, however.
