Choline Chloride - Overview
Choline chloride is an organic compound and a quaternary ammonium salt. It has a choline cation with chloride anion. It is a basic constituent of lecithin which is found in many plants and animal organs. It is important as it is a precursor of acetylcholine which is a methyl donor in various metabolic processes and in lipid metabolism. In animal feed, it is a common feed additive for mono-gastric and fish. For ruminants, it is important for improving beef quality and milk production.
Manufacturing Process
Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) is an inorganic compound, marketed as 36% solution, 75-78% flakes or 94-97% granules, used for roads de-icing, dust control, brine refrigeration, dehumidification, setting time reduction in concrete, petroleum oil extraction and food processing. Calcium chloride production process basically consists of limestone reaction with hydrochloric acid. It can be also produced as by-product from Tradeasia process for soda ash and, only in the U.S., by the concentration and purification of naturally occurring brines from salt lakes and salt deposits. Tradeasia know-how and technologies for Calcium Chloride production units as 36% solution, 75-78% flakes or 94-97% granules, basing on reaction between limestone and hydrochloric acid.
The Uses of Choline Chloride
Natural feedstuffs do not contain a consistent amount of choline, nor is the amount present predictably bioavailable due to variations in crop growth conditions (see reference 5). Because livestock have a physiological need for choline, manufacturers add it to their animal feeds in the form of choline chloride. Choline specifically acts to prevent fatty liver syndrome and helps in the formation of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, maintaining proper nervous system functioning.
Human Development
In your body, choline is an essential nutrient. The structural integrity of cell membranes–as well as cell signaling, neurotransmission, muscle function and fat transport–all require choline. Choline is also a source of methyl groups, a specific chemical group containing one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms. Methyl groups are required for a variety of chemical reactions in your body. During fetal development, choline influences stem cell proliferation and apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, which is essential for brain and spinal cord structure and function, decreasing neural tube defects and increasing memory function. You can synthesize choline directly in your body, but humans also often obtain it through their diets. Dietary intake of choline needs vary among individuals. Men and postmenopausal women experience signs of organ dysfunction with insufficient dietary choline, while less than half of premenopausal women develop such signs.
Supplements
Choline chloride supplements are available based on the belief that taking high doses of choline helps achieve optimal acetylcholine levels in the brain, which may help with age-related memory loss. Manufacturers of choline supplements claim that choline may help reduce sleep problems and increase your ability to concentrate and problem-solve. In addition, supplement manufacturers claim that choline emulsifies fats, keeping them in liquid form so that they are less likely to deposit on the walls of your arteries. They claim that choline supplements may help decrease liver disease, high cholesterol, depression, memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and asthma and that choline has a general anti-inflammatory effect. Although choline deficiencies can cause health problems, manufacturers of choline chloride supplements do not provide scientific studies to back up their claims that supplements are effective at preventing or treating any of these conditions
Hazards Identification
Hazard Warnings: During a fire, smoke may contain the original material in addition to combustion products of varying composition which may be toxic and/or irritating.
Combustion products may include and are not limited to: Nitrogen oxides., Hydrogen chloride., Chlorine., Carbon monoxide., Carbon dioxide.
Precautionary Statements: P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling. P271 Use in a well-ventilated area. P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection