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β-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester Feed Additive: What Information Should Be Included on a Product Specification Sheet?

When purchasing β-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester for feed production, a product specification sheet provides important information for formulation, purchasing, and quality management.

Instead of looking only at the product name, feed manufacturers should review the key technical information together.

1. Product Name and Active Ingredient

The specification should clearly identify the commercial product and its main active ingredient.

For example, ZEAPLANT® YELLOW is identified as a β-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester product, with CAS No. 1109-11-1 listed in the product name. The product page also specifies β-apo-8'-carotene ethyl ester content at a maximum of 10%.

This information helps buyers distinguish the product from other carotenoid pigments.

2. Physical Form

The physical description is another useful part of a specification sheet.

ZEAPLANT® YELLOW is described as free-flowing purple-red granules , with a defined granularity specification:

  • 100% passes through an 840 μm (20 mesh) standard sieve

  • Up to 20% passes through a 150 μm (100 mesh) standard sieve

This gives manufacturers a clear reference for the product's physical form.

3. Moisture Specification

Moisture content should also be clearly stated.

For ZEAPLANT® YELLOW, the specified maximum moisture content is 8% .

Including this information allows buyers to compare the product with their purchasing and quality requirements.

4. Recommended Application

A useful specification sheet should indicate where and how the product is intended to be used.

ZEAPLANT® YELLOW is specified for poultry compound feed , with a stated addition range of 5–250 g/T .

This is particularly important because the appropriate application of a feed additive should not be assumed solely from its chemical name.

5. Product Features

Technical documents can also summarize relevant product characteristics.

ZEAPLANT® YELLOW is described as having high bioavailability, good stability and moisture resistance, and a stable and uniform coloring effect. Its special double-enveloped structure is described as supporting stability and absorption.

These descriptions help buyers understand the intended characteristics of the commercial formulation.

6. Packaging and Storage

A complete specification should also provide basic handling information.

ZEAPLANT® YELLOW is packed in 5 kg aluminum foil bags , with four bags per carton and 20 kg total per carton. The recommended storage environment is ventilated, dry, and free from pollution and harmful substances. Its stated validity period is 24 months in the original package .

A Practical Specification Checklist

For buyers evaluating a β-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester product, the specification sheet can be reviewed in this order:

Product identity → active ingredient → physical form → moisture → application → packaging → storage → validity

This provides a quick technical overview before purchasing or introducing the product into a feed program.

Conclusion

A good β-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester feed additive specification sheet should provide enough information for buyers to understand exactly what they are purchasing and how the product is intended to be used.

For ZEAPLANT® YELLOW, the product page provides information covering ingredient, physical form, granularity, moisture, application, packaging, storage, and validity period .

For feed manufacturers, reviewing these specifications before purchase can make product selection and technical communication much clearer.