Difurazone is a growth promoter for livestock and poultry, known for its ability to promote growth in drought-stricken areas and improve feed conversion ratio. Its effectiveness has been proven through years of application in many countries. Mixing 20 ppm of this product into feed, from weaning to market, can increase weight gain by 7% and improve feed conversion ratio by 5%, without affecting the health, carcass quality, or meat flavor of the pigs. This product also promotes growth in lambs and broilers. The oral LD50 for rats is >10 g/kg, and for mice it is >6.4 g/kg. This product is not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and leaves very little residue in tissues.
ChEBI: Nitrovin is a member of furans and a C-nitro compound.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Difurazone, a nitrofuran derivative, was formerly used as an
antiinfective agent. It has, however, been superseded by safer compounds and
WHO has no information to suggest that it remains commercially available.
Poison by intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by subcutaneous route. Mildly toxic by ingestion. Questionable carcinogen. A growth promoter in chickens. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NOx.
