OptiPass™ Methionine contains an encapsulated version of methionine. OptiPass™ Lysine contains an encapsulated
version of lysine.
Methionine and lysine are essential amino acids for dairy cows. OptiPass™ Methionine and OptiPass™ Lysine are
encapsulated forms of these amino acids. The encapsulation allows for passage of the essential amino acids through
the rumen to the small intestine where it can be utilized.
Amino Acid Supplementation
Lysine and methionine are considered essential amino acids and are widely accepted as the two most limiting amino
acids in dairy rations. Many diets are deficient in one or both of these amino acids. Lysine and methionine are
necessary to optimize milk component synthesis as well as total milk production, especially in high producing cows.
Two options to meet these amino acid requirements include:
- Increasing dietary crude protein levels which is often times expensive and can lead to excess nitrogen excretion into the environment.
- Use a concentrated amino acid source such as OptiPass™ Methionine and/or OptiPass™ Lysine which can decrease
diet cost, enhance nitrogen utilization by the cow and also offer the producer more flexibility when choosing
ration ingredients.
Encapsulation allows the lysine and methionine in OptiPass™ Methionine and OptiPass Lysine to bypass the rumen for consistent intestinal delivery.
Encapsulation Technology
The amino acids in OptiPass™ Methionie and OptiPass™ Lysine are coated using a unique encapsulation process called
Micropearls®. Micropearls® is a spray freezing technique that uses very low temperatures (-76 F) to embed the
ingredients in a vegetable polymer matrix the results in a microgranule resistant to degradation in the rumen.
Once past the rumen, the microgranules are subject to normal digestive processes in the abomasum and small intestine,
allowing for release and absorption of the amino acids.
The Micropearls® process makes OptiPass™ Methionine and OptiPass™ Lysine pellet stable.
The Micropearls® technology is a proprietary process of SODA Feed Ingredients, a worldwide supplier of encapsulated
and rumen protected nutrients.