High-quality vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is crucial for the vital growth and development of animals as well as human beings.
Owing to its role in the metabolism of proteins and fats, vitamin B2 is an essential micronutrient for all major species of livestock and companion animals. It is used as a feed additive in all types of feed. Vitamin B2 deficiency can cause retarded growth, poor food utilization, and diarrhea. In chickens, vitamin B2 deficiency typically causes the symptom of inwardly curved toes. BASF´s Lutavit® B2 SG 80 is the only B2 vitamin produced by the Ashbya gossypii fungus, a natural producer of vitamin B2. In BASF’s fermentation process Ashbya gossypii metabolizes vegetable oil into vitamin B2 which is then isolated, purified, and dried. This also leads to the specific orange color of our Lutavit® B2 SG 80.