Quick Facts
| CAS Number | 8067-69-4 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C9H5ClNOR (mixture) |
| Molecular Weight | 178.6 (mean) |
| Pharmacopoeia | BP |
| Packaging | 25 KG/DRUM |
Product Overview
Halquinol belongs to the 8-hydroxyquinoline (quinolin-8-ol) family — a class of compounds whose antimicrobial properties were first recognized in the early 20th century. The chlorinated derivatives that constitute halquinol were developed as improved intestinal antiseptics with broader spectrum activity and greater chemical stability than the parent 8-hydroxyquinoline. The BP defines halquinol as a controlled mixture of 5-chloroquinolin-8-ol, 7-chloroquinolin-8-ol, and 5,7-dichloroquinolin-8-ol, with the ratio of mono- to dichlorinated species carefully controlled because the two components have complementary antimicrobial spectra. This is not a single-molecule API but a controlled-composition mixture designed to maximize the breadth of gut pathogen coverage.
Halquinol's antimicrobial mechanism is fundamentally different from conventional antibiotics. Rather than targeting a single enzyme or pathway (e.g., cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, DNA gyrase), halquinol acts through metal ion chelation — the 8-hydroxyquinoline moiety binds divalent cations (Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+) that serve as essential cofactors for dozens of microbial enzymes. By sequestering these metals, halquinol simultaneously disrupts multiple metabolic processes: electron transport chain function, superoxide dismutase activity, and metalloprotease function. This multi-target mechanism is inherently more resistant to the development of microbial resistance than single-target antibiotics.
The most commercially significant feature of halquinol is that it is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It acts entirely within the intestinal lumen and is excreted unchanged in the feces. This non-systemic, locally-acting profile provides three practical advantages: (1) no tissue residues — zero withdrawal period, supporting just-in-time processing; (2) no systemic toxicity risk — the safety margin is exceptionally wide because the drug never enters circulation; (3) no drug-drug interactions with systemically administered veterinary medicines. These characteristics have made halquinol a preferred gut health solution in the post-antibiotic growth promoter era, particularly in poultry and swine production systems transitioning to NAE (No Antibiotics Ever) protocols.
As of mid-2026, the global halquinol market is experiencing sustained growth driven by the regulatory phase-out of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) across multiple jurisdictions, most notably in the EU, Southeast Asia, and parts of Latin America. Halquinol's classification as a non-antibiotic antimicrobial gives it regulatory advantages that conventional AGPs lack. China and India are the dominant API producers, with demand concentrated in poultry and swine markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. KingWish supplies GMP-certified halquinol meeting BP standards, supporting feed premix manufacturers and veterinary pharmaceutical companies in regulated and emerging markets.
Quality Specifications
| Total Chlorinated Quinolinols (HPLC) | ≥ 95.0%, per BP monograph |
|---|---|
| Composition Ratio | Mono-chloro : Di-chloro within BP-specified range (typically 40–60% each) |
| Free 8-Hydroxyquinoline | ≤ 2.0% (unreacted precursor — indicator of incomplete chlorination) |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 1.0% |
| Sulfated Ash | ≤ 0.1% |
| Heavy Metals | ≤ 20 ppm |
| GMP Status | Manufactured under ICH Q7 GMP conditions |
Veterinary Applications
Poultry Gut Health
Feed additive at 120–240 g/ton for growth promotion and enteritis prevention. Therapeutic use at 240–480 g/ton for non-specific diarrhea. Drinking water at 100–200 mg/L for 5–7 days.
Swine Performance
Feed additive at 120–240 g/ton for growth promotion and gut health maintenance. Higher doses (240–480 g/ton) for scours control in nursery and grower pigs. Compatible with all feed additives.
Therapeutic Areas
- Poultry: Intestinal antiseptic, non-specific diarrhea control, growth promotion, necrotic enteritis adjunct therapy
- Swine: Neonatal and post-weaning scours prevention, growth promotion, gut microbiota modulation
- Calves & Lambs: Neonatal diarrhea prevention and treatment
- NAE Production: Antibiotic-free gut health programs compliant with No Antibiotics Ever protocols
Sourcing Halquinol API: Key Checks
Documentation
Request CoA with HPLC chromatogram showing the mono- and di-chloro component ratio per BP. Verify free 8-hydroxyquinoline is within limits. Confirm BP compliance certificate. For feed premix manufacturers, request particle size and bulk density data.
Red Flags
Incorrect chloro-component ratio — a common manufacturing issue from poor chlorination process control. Elevated free 8-hydroxyquinoline (>2%) indicates incomplete reaction. Color variation between batches suggests process inconsistency.
Packaging & Logistics
Standard: 25 KG/DRUM with moisture barrier liner. Store in cool, dry conditions below 30°C, protected from light. Product is light-sensitive — discoloration indicates photodegradation. Standard lead time 4–8 weeks.
Market Context
Halquinol demand growing as AGP bans expand globally. Regulated as a non-antibiotic antimicrobial, giving it market access advantages over conventional AGPs. China dominates API supply. Growing adoption in NAE poultry systems. Market report