Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Practical considerations in the selection of creatine forms for calf feeding

Dmytro Nosevych, Tetiana Antoniuk
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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of adding different forms of creatine to milk and whole milk replacer. The following creatine sources were examined: creatine hydrochloride, creatine monohydrate, creatine phosphate, and creatine malate. Creatine preparations, at a dosage equivalent to 15 g per 6 L of milk, were assessed for water solubility and subsequently added to milk and milk replacer. Creatine hydrochloride demonstrated excellent water solubility and readily passed through the filter after mixing with milk. Amount of dry matter retained on the filters decreased by 0.2 g/L compared with milk, indicating improved filtration properties. After one hour of standing, the residue in the lower fraction remained 0.1 g/L lower than in the corresponding milk fraction. Creatine monohydrate remained insoluble in water but did not induce milk coagulation. Residue retained on the filters increased by 0.1 g/L compared with milk, while after one hour of standing the residue in the lower fraction increased by 0.5 g/L relative to the control. Creatine phosphate dissolved well in water; however, mixing with milk increased the residue on the filters by 0.1 g/L immediately after mixing, and after one hour of storage the mixture separated, forming protein coagulates. The residue retained on the filters in the lower fraction exceeded the control by 3.5 g/L. Creatine malate showed slower dissolution in water due to the presence of large agglomerates. In prepared mixtures with milk, the residue retained on the filters increased by 0.6 g/L compared with the control, and after one hour of standing the residue in the lower fraction exceeded the control by 5.3 g/L. Protein coagulates formed in the upper fraction of the mixture after one hour of standing, making it unsuitable for filtration. In mixtures with whole milk replacer, all forms of creatine slightly accelerated the sedimentation of suspension components; however, this effect was not critical. For calf milk mixtures, the inclusion of creatine hydrochloride was recommended due to its high solubility and lack of rapid milk coagulation

Keywords

milk; milk replacer; cattle; solubility; milk protein coagulation; esophageal groove reflex

Suggested citation
Nosevych, D., & Antoniuk, T. (2026). Practical considerations in the selection of creatine forms for calf feeding. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 22(2),135-149. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/2.2026.135
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