Broiler Litter Composition as Affected by Water Extractant, Dilution Ratio, and Extraction Time

Abstract

Laboratory methodologies characterizing a suite of water-extractable, elemental fractions of broiler litter (BL) are necessary to provide data representing field conditions once BL is land-applied and to address subsequent potential environmental mobility of litter constituents. This study evaluated the effects of water extractant (rainwater and deionized water), extractant/litter dilution ratio (10:1, 20:1, 30:1, and 40:1), and extraction time (5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 360, 720, and 1440 min) on the chemical composition of BL. Water extractant did not affect water-soluble elements. Water-soluble elemental concentrations increased with increasing extraction times and either increased or were unaffected by increasing extractant/litter dilution ratio. Results based on achieving at least 70% of the maximum observed concentration suggest a minimum recommended extraction time of 30 min. However, extraction times exceeding 360 min indicated microbial immobilization of dissolved organic carbon. Therefore, an extraction time between 30 and 360 min is recommended.