Biotin

Biotin is an essential component of specifc enymes systems involved in carboxylation, transcarboxylation and decarboxylation reactions. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, pyruvate carboxylase and propionyl-CoA carboxylase are enzymes requiring biotin. These enzymes are involved in carbon dioxide transfers within tissues. Deficiency symptoms include anorexia, slow growth and depigmentation. Sources of biotin include dried distillers solubles, cottonseed meal, rice polishings and yeast. Recommended supplementation level for biotin in commercial feeds is 1 mg/kg (Akiyama et al., 1992).