Protein Source For Ruminants Research Articles

Bird rape — a source of protein for ruminants

Bird rape — a source of protein for ruminants

Carcass Traits of Growing Meat Goats Fed Different Levels of Hempseed Meal.

Simple SummaryIndustrial hemp is currently being investigated as a potential new crop in the U.S. after the passage and approval of the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. Hemp plants grow efficiently, and its seeds are used in the production of hemp oil, leaving hempseed meal (HSM) as a byproduct, which is reported to be rich in crude protein (CP) around 30–38% on a dry matter basis and fiber, making it a possible feedstuff and a protein source for ruminants. However, limited work has been carried out to evaluate the effects of utilizing HSM as feedstuffs for goats on their carcass characteristics. This study aims to investigate the effects of feeding various levels of HSM on the carcass traits of the crossbred Boer goats. Results suggest that including up to 30% of HSM in the diet of growing meat goats has no adverse effects on their carcass traits and meat quality. These results might be encouraging for the hemp industry as HSM could potentially be marketed and used as an alternative protein source for livestock.Hempseed meal (HSM) is the byproduct of hemp seeds and is rich in crude protein and fiber, making it an ideal candidate as a feedstuff for ruminants. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of HSM on the carcass traits of crossbred Boer goats. Forty castrated goat kids (approximately six months, 25.63 ± 0.33 kg) were assigned to one of four treatments (n = 10) in a completely randomized design. Goats were fed pelleted diets (50% forage and 50% concentrate) with additional supplementation of HSM: control with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of the total diets. Goats were harvested and processed after a 60-day feeding trial. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the mean values of dressing percentages, carcass weights, body wall thickness, and ribeye area among treatments. Marbling scores and percentages of moisture, fats, proteins, and collagen in the muscles showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) among the treatments. Results suggest that including up to 30% of HSM in the diet of growing meat goats does not affect their carcass traits.

Budidaya Lamtoro Sebagai Bank Pakan Sumber Protein di Kecamatan Moyo Utara Kabupaten Sumbawa

: Currently, the Lamtoro plant has become the prima donna of forage for ruminants in NTB Province. This plant is able to grow in relatively dry land and can be a source of protein for ruminants, maintenance and maintenance is relatively easy because it does not require a lot of water. On the other hand, the use of lamtoro as a source of protein for ruminant feed is an efficient step in meeting animal feed needs. Through the utilization of lamtoro, the use of less productive land can be utilized as well as a reforestation tree to prevent erosion, on the other hand, the use of lamtoro can increase farmers' income because the cost of foraging for food in the dry season can be minimized, the quality of feed given to livestock is maintained so that livestock productivity is maintained. The dry season remains high, therefore the Maju Bersama Group in the Filter Village of North Moyo District as one of the livestock groups in North Moyo District where the population does a lot of raising ruminant livestock, it is deemed necessary to carry out community empowerment service activities through counseling on “Lamtoro Cultivation As a Protein Source Feed Bank in North Moyo District, Sumbawa Regency. " Providing counseling in the form of demonstrations, speeches (lectures and questions and answers), and distribution of leaflets attended by 20 participants including members of farmer groups and local residents. The results of the counseling were considered very useful. This could be seen from the enthusiasm of the extension participants who attended both the question and answer session and the demonstration session. The output of this counseling result is an ISSN service journal and a brochure

Ruminal Degradability and Intestinal Digestibility of Dm and Cp in High-Protein Fraction from Sunflower Meal - A Cheap Source of Dietary Protein for Ruminants

Ruminal Degradability and Intestinal Digestibility of Dm and Cp in High-Protein Fraction from Sunflower Meal - A Cheap Source of Dietary Protein for Ruminants

Effects of feeding graded levels of whole cottonseed on haemato-biochemical parameters of red Sokoto bucks

Whole cottonseed (WCS) is an important source of protein for ruminants, however, it contains a polyphenolic secondary metabolite gossypol which may reduce its palatability and cause pathophysiological effects. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of feeding graded levels of WCS on the haemato-biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto bucks (RSB). After a 14-day pre-treatment period, 20 bucks (n = 5) were assigned for 90 days to one of four isonitrogeneous treatments: control (A); 0 % (B); 15 % (C); 30 % and (D); 45 %. Blood was collected for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and serum analyses at days 0, 45 and 90 of the experimental period for concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The PCV was decreased in groups fed above 15 % of WCS on days 45. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in globulin concentration, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities but aspartate transferase activity was higher (p < 0.05) in group D (45% WCS) compared to the various treatment groups. The urea concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in groups B and D at day 45 compared to the control group. The creatinine concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in group D at days 45 and 90 compared to the control group. The serum total protein and albumin concentration were higher (p < 0.05) in groups C and D at day 45 compared to the control group. Our finding revealed that prolonged feeding of bucks above 30 % WCS for more than 60 days exerted considerable deleterious and adverse effects on blood constituents leading to aneamia, hyper-cretenaemia, ureamia, increased levels of total protein, albumin, aspartate transferase activity and death.
 Keywords: Biochemical parameters, Bucks, Gossypol, Serum, Whole cotton seed

High Fiber Cakes from Mediterranean Multipurpose Oilseeds as Protein Sources for Ruminants.

Simple SummaryRecovery and valorization of residues are key factors for agro-industry to progress towards circular-economy models and more sustainable productions. In the vegetable oils industry, large quantities of spent seed cakes are produced downstream of the oil extraction processes, and their use as animal feedstuffs, mainly as protein supplements for ruminants, is a possible valorization strategy. In this study, we analyzed chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of spent cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp that are multipurpose cultures emerging in Mediterranean area. The results showed that the cakes of tobacco, cardoon and hemp might be interesting alternative protein feeds for ruminants. The valorization of these cakes may potentially improve economic and environmental sustainability of the emerging vegetable-oil production chains.Fifteen oilseed cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp were characterized with regard to chemical composition, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) fractionation, in vitro digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein. All the cakes presented low moisture, rather variable ether extract contents and medium to high levels of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The cakes significantly differed in terms of CNCPS partitioning and in vitro digestibility. Tobacco and hemp cakes presented high contents of slow degradable fractions of crude protein and carbohydrate joined to good post-ruminal protein digestibility. Cardoon cakes presented the highest rumen protein degradability. Based on crude protein content and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein, cakes of tobacco and hemp showed the better potential as alternative protein supplements for ruminants, while pomegranate appears to be the least suitable for ruminant feeding.

Cassava Forage (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Ruminant Feed Nutritional Value at Altitudes in the West Java

Cassava leaves as a source of high protein for ruminants and high potential was necessary to be explored as a feed. The cassava leaves was suitable for farmers because its availability was quite a lot, especially during cassava harvest. The purpose of this study was to determine the content of cassava leaf substances grown at various altitudes in the West Java. The study was conducted from May to June, 2016. Determination of area (village) was based on the number of cattle in the area. The sampling was done in stages (multistage sampling) to get secondary data. Selected villages were taken six times sample on each height (low, medium and high). The variables measured in this study were dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus and TDN (Total Digestible Nutrient) derived from cassava leaf. The method used was experimental with Completed randomized design (CRD). The results showed that the content of dry matter, crude fiber and phosphorus in the highlands was greater than the medium and low plains. Crude Protein, Calcium and TDN showed the same value at various altitudes. Crude fats in the highlands and medium produce were the same but were higher than in the lowlands.

Variability of in vitro ruminal fermentation and nutritional value of cell‐disrupted and nondisrupted microalgae for ruminants

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate ruminal fermentation and the nutritional value of different microalgae products (MAP) for ruminants, including inter‐ and intra‐genera variability. Furthermore, the effect of mechanical cell disruption was also evaluated. Cell‐disrupted and nondisrupted MAP of four genera were investigated using the Hohenheim Gas Test. The investigations included characterization of gas production (GP), production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and methane, organic matter digestibility, and energetic value as well as utilizable crude protein at the duodenum and ruminally undegradable crude protein (RUP). Furthermore, a three‐step enzymatic in vitro system was used to estimate intestinal digestibility of RUP (IDP). Ruminal fermentation was low for all investigated microalgae genera, as indicated by overall low GP, low production of VFA, and low ruminal protein degradation. Nevertheless, all microalgae genera were characterized by high RUP concentrations (236–407 g/kg dry matter; passage rate = 8% hr−1), indicating that microalgae might be a promising protein source for high‐performing ruminants. Low IDP (26%–49% of RUP) considerably contradicted this potential. Mechanical cell disruption in general enhanced the extent of ruminal fermentation of MAP but, as RUP was decreased and IDP was hardly affected, mechanical cell disruption appears not to be necessary when microalgae are intended for application as a protein source for ruminants. Because of the high variability in the characteristics of the nutritional value, general means are inappropriate to characterize the nutritional value of MAP. In conclusion, suitability of microalgae as a protein source for ruminants might be limited because of low IDP, although further studies are necessary to prove these findings in vivo.

Short chain nitrocompounds as a treatment of layer hen manure and litter; effects on in vitro survivability of Salmonella, generic E. coli and nitrogen metabolism

ABSTRACTThe current study was conducted to assess the bactericidal effectiveness of several nitrocompounds against pathogens in layer hen manure and litter. Evidence from an initial study indicated that treatment of layer hen manure with 12 mM nitroethane decreased populations of generic E. coli and total coliforms by 0.7 and 2.2 log10 colony forming units (CFU) g−1, respectively, after 24 h aerobic incubation at ambient temperature when compared to untreated populations. Salmonella concentrations were unaffected by nitroethane in this study. In a follow-up experiment, treatment of 6-month-old layer hen litter (mixed with 0.4 mL water g−1) with 44 mM 2-nitroethanol, 2-nitropropanol or ethyl nitroacetate decreased an inoculated Salmonella typhimurium strain from its initial concentration (3 log10 CFU g−1) by 0.7 to 1.7 log10 CFU g−1 after 6 h incubation at 37°C in covered containers. After 24 h incubation, populations of the inoculated S. Typhmiurium in litter treated with 44 mM 2-nitroethanol, 2-nitropropanol, ethyl nitroacetate or nitroethane were decreased more than 3.2 log10 CFU g−1 compared to populations in untreated control litter. Treatment of litter with 44 mM 2-nitroethanol, 2-nitropropanol, ethyl nitroacetate decreased rates of ammonia accumulation more than 70% compared to untreated controls (0.167 µmol mL−1 h−1) and loses of uric acid (< 1 µmol mL−1) were observed only in litter treated with 44 mM 2-nitropropanol, indicating that some of these nitrocompounds may help prevent loss of nitrogen in treated litter. Results warrant further research to determine if these nitrocompounds can be developed into an environmentally sustainable and safe strategy to eliminate pathogens from poultry litter, while preserving its nitrogen content as a nutritionally valuable crude protein source for ruminants.

Use of Copra Meal in Poultry and Ruminant Nutrition

Copra meal (CM) is an important feed ingredient and the by-product of the oil extraction from dried coconut kernels. This product, although copra meal has a moderate protein content (15-25%); because of a high cellulose content (11.63-16.00%) and some limiting amino acids (particularly lysine and methionine), limits its use as a basic source of protein in poultry due to insufficient. Copra meals are more suitable common supplements as both an energy and protein source for ruminants. In this paper, nutritional researches performed with the copra meal usage on poultry and ruminant species have been reviewed.

Isolation and characterization of mimosine, 3, 4 DHP and 2, 3 DHP degrading bacteria from a commercial rumen inoculum.

The presence of the toxic amino acid mimosine in Leucaena leucocephala restricts its use as a protein source for ruminants. Rumen bacteria degrade mimosine to 3,4- and 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (DHP), which remain toxic. Synergistes jonesii is believed to be the main bacterium responsible for degradation of these toxic compounds but other bacteria may also be involved. In this study, a commercial inoculum provided by the Queensland's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry was screened for isolation and characterization of mimosine, 3,4- and 2,3-DHP degrading bacterial strains. A new medium for screening of 2,3-DHP degrading bacteria was developed. Molecular and biochemical approaches used in this study revealed four bacterial isolates - Streptococcus lutetiensis, Clostridium butyricum, Lactobacillus vitulinus, and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens - to be able to completely degrade mimosine within 7 days of incubation. It was also observed that C. butyricum and L. vitulinus were able to partially degrade 2,3-DHP within 12 days of incubation, while S. lutetiensis, was able to fully degrade both 3,4 and 2,3 DHP. Collectively, we concluded that S. jonesii is not the sole bacterium responsible for detoxification of Leucaena. Comprehensive screening of rumen fluid of cattle grazing on Leucaena pastures is needed to identify additional mimosine-detoxifying bacteria and contribute to development of more effective inoculums to be used by farmers against Leucaena toxicity.

Chemical composition of ingredients of diets for the ruminants in middle-northern Brazil

Was evaluated the chemical composition of four ingredients with potential for use in ruminant diets in the Mid-North of Brazil. The ingredients evaluated were soybean meal, buriti residue, cottonseed cake and babassu meal. Samples were obtained in trade em Teresina city (Piauí) and agribusiness of Maranhão state (buriti residue). The contents of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE), mineral matter (MM), lignin (LIG), cellulose (CEL) and total carbohydrates (TC). The nutrient content of conventional ingredients (soybean meal and cottonseed cake) were consistent with literature data. Buriti residue contains high percentage of LIG (35.97%), associated to high NDF (83.59%) and ADF (58.18%) contents and low protein value (3.41% CP). The soybean meal, cottonseed meal and the babassu meal are protein sources for ruminants, deserving attention the high NDF (57.93% and 72.03%) and ADF (41.42% and 45.10%) contents of cottonseed cake and babassu cake, respectively.

PEMANFAATAN SEMAK BUNGA PUTIH (Chromolaena odorata) SEBAGAI PAKAN LOKAL SUMBER PROTEIN UNTUK TERNAK SAPI: KONSUMSI, DAYA CERNA DAN FERMENTASI RUMEN

Chromolaena odorata (CO) contains high protein (21-36%) and has the potency to be utilized as a cheap protein source for livestock due to its abundants availability. However, it also contain secondary metabolic compounds that could has a negative effects on livestock, hence it requires treatments to eliminate the antinutrient compounds. One of the methods is pelleting. This experiment aimed at assessing the efficacy of chromolaena level in pelleted ration for fattened cattle. Four bali young male aged ± 2 years old were allotted into four dietary treatments in a latin square experimental design. The treatments were pellet contains CO at a level of 10% (COP10) or 20% (COP20), or 30% (COP30) or 40% (COP40). The pellet was offered at 2% live weight (LW), and kume grass hay was provided ad libitum as basal diet. The pellet was iso energy (11.5 MJ ME/kg DM) and nitrogenous (20% CP). Parameters measured were dietary intake and digestibility, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbial protein production. The results showed that increasing level of chromolaena to 40% in the pellet significantly surpressed most of the measured parameters. Dry matter intake declined from 2.5% LW in treatment COP10 to 2.19% LW in COP40. Similarly, crude protein intake reduced from 749 g/d (COP10) to 661 g/d (COP40). Unaffected parameters were digestibility, rumen ammonia concentration (116-125 mg/dL),total VFA, and efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis (60,4-73,4 g/kg BOT). It is concluded that chromolaena can be utilized as protein source for ruminants, yet it tends to depress intake at high level of inclusion (40%). On the other hand, dietary digestibility and rumen function were not effected by level of chromolaean, though efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis was lower than the recommended values in the exisiting feeding standards. Therefore, further research is warrant to devise appriate treatments to improve feeding value of chromolaena as cheap protein source for livestock.Key words: Chromolaeana odorata, protein, intake, rumen microbial protein, cattle

Bioactive forage legumes as a strategy to improve silage quality and minimise nitrogenous losses

The use of forage legumes as a source of protein for ruminants is a sustainable strategy to reduce the use of inorganic-nitrogen fertiliser. In addition, some legumes species contain naturally bioactive secondary compounds, which could improve silage quality and digestive processes in ruminants. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of bioactive legumes containing condensed tannins or polyphenol oxidase, ensiled alone or in mixture with a grass, on silage quality and conservation characteristics. Six mini-silos were prepared in triplicate as follows: 100% red clover (RC), 100% sainfoin (SF), 100% Timothy (T, control without bioactive compounds), binary mixtures 50% T + 50% RC, 50% T + 50% SF and ternary mixture 50% T + 25% RC + 25% SF. Condensed tannins remain unaltered during the silage-making process in terms of quantity and chemical structures, while polyphenol oxidase is activated during this process. All the silages that contained bioactive legumes were better conserved than the pure grass silo. In addition bioactive legumes were able to preserve protein from their degradation during the silage process. Inclusion of bioactive legumes can improve silage quality, and polyphenol oxidase may be more efficient than condensed tannins to improve the nitrogen value of silage.

In sacco evaluation of ruminal degradability of waste vinegar residue as a feedstuff for ruminants

Waste vinegar residue (WVR) is a by-product of vinegar processing by solid-state fermentation. In this study, two experiments were conducted to determine chemical composition and ruminal degradability of WVR and whether WVR can be used as a feedstuff for ruminants. In Experiment 1, 14 WVR samples were incubated in the rumen of three Inner Mongolia White Cashmere Goats to determine the in sacco ruminal degradability parameters for DM, crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). The NDF, CP and ether extract (EE) contents of the WVR samples were 796.6, 125.2 and 93.3 g/kg, respectively. The greatest variation was observed for lactic acid, which ranged from 150.39 to 4391.12 mg/kg with an average of 1023.84 mg/kg. The average A, B and C fractions of DM for the 14 samples of WVR were 122, 350, and 528 g/kg, respectively. The effective degradability of DM, CP and NDF were 275, 550 and 211 g/kg, respectively. In Experiment 2, the in sacco degradation parameters for DM, CP and NDF of Chinese leymus, corn stalk and WVR were evaluated in a 3 × 3 Latin-square design. The rapidly degradable fraction of the DM and NDF for WVR was significantly (P &lt; 0.01) greater than that of Chinese leymus and corn stalk. No difference in rumen-degraded DM, rumen-degraded CP and rumen-degraded NDF was found between Chinese leymus and WVR (P &gt; 0.05). It is concluded that, WVR is not well digested ruminally but is a good source of protein for ruminants giving it value as an ingredient in ruminant diets.

Simultaneous analysis of the main markers of nitrogen status in dairy cow's urine using hydrophilic interaction chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry detection

Microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen balance status in ruminants can be evaluated by the presence of metabolites in urine. This work aims to develop and validate a simple and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of nine markers of nitrogen status in ruminant's urine using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS/MS). The LC–ESI-MS/MS system, operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive mode, was used for determining selected purine (allantoin, uric acid, xanthine, and hypoxanthine) and pyrimidine derivatives (β-aminobutyric acid and β-alanine), which are used to estimate rumen microbial protein synthesis – the main source of protein for ruminants. Creatinine, creatine and urea, three other metabolites involved in nitrogen metabolism were also measured by this method. The procedure was based on a simple dilution of urine samples in acetonitrile, followed by LC–ESI-MS/MS analysis. Chromatographic separation was tested with three different columns. A zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (ZIC-HILIC) column provided an optimal separation for all metabolites. Precision of the method was typically below 10%, and accuracy was above 90% with the exceptions of allantoin and urea at pH 6 and 3, and β-alanine at pH 3. Metabolites were stable after 3 months of storage at −20°C, except for xanthine, hypoxanthine and β-aminobutyric acid that lost up to 48, 50 and 39% of initial concentration after only 1month of storage in acidified urine. This LC–ESI-MS/MS method is more specific, unequivocally detecting target metabolites at lower detection limits than methods using UV detection. The method was suitable for the determination of all metabolites tested. The developed method was subsequently used to compare total and spot urine sampling obtained from dairy cows fed diets with contrasting levels of protein.

Effect of processing methods on the degradability of rattle box (Crotalaria retusa) plant in Yankasa rams

Crotalaria as a feed has great ability to serve as a source of energy and protein in dry season feeding due to the fact that it has good crude protein content comparable to other well-known forage legumes. The study was designed to evaluate the nutritive compositions of Crotalaria retusa leaves subjected to various processing. The processing methods that the crotalaria leaves were subjected to include: sun drying, oven drying, shade drying and fresh, and thereafter, the chemical analysis of the variously processed leaves was determined. Similarly, the rumen degradation was determined. The results showed a significant difference in the fresh leaves for all the parameters determined. Dry matter degradability showed a general increase with increase in the incubation time, and there was also a general decrease in passage rate with increase in outflow rate (‘k’ value). Sun drying reduces the protein content for ruminant use as such Crotalaria can serve as a source of protein for ruminants especially in dry season when there is scarcity of protein sources for ruminants.

Relevance and Potential Use of In vitro Gas Production Measurements to Evaluate Varying Ratios of Roughages and Protein Sources for Ruminants

Ouda, J.O. and Nsahlai, I.V. 2009. Relevance and potential use of in vitro gas production measurements to evaluate varying ratios of roughages and protein sources for ruminants. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 9–16. This study explored the relevance and potential of measurements obtainable from in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) in predicting nutritive value of ruminant rations comprised of poor quality roughages (RG) and different protein sources (PS). The RG were grass hay (GH) and maize stover (MS). The PS were Lucerne hay (LH), Sericea lespedeza hay (LPZ) and sunflower oil cake (SFC). RG:PS ratios used were 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 20:80 and 0:100 on DM basis. Evaluation measurements included degradability (Deg), microbial yield (MIC) gas production (GP), time taken to half total GP (T½), Deg/total GP ratio (PF) and Deg/(half total GP × T½) ratio (DEF). The Deg increased linearly as LH (P<0.003) or SFC (P<0.03) increased in GH rations while a quadratic increase was obtained in MS rations. Increasing LPZ caused a linear decrease in Deg in both GH and MS rations. The PS differed (P<0.001) in GP in GH rations but protein source ratio (PSR) had no effect. In MS rations, the PS, PSR and PS × PSR interaction affected (P<0.001) GP. There was a linear decrease (P<0.02 to 0.002) in T½ as LH or SFC ratios increased in both GH and MS rations while increasing LPZ ratio tended to cause a quadratic decrease (P=0.17). The MIC and PF showed no clear trend among all the PS and PSR. The DEF was consistent and increased linearly (P<0.002 to 0.001) as the ratios of LH or SFC increased, while increasing LPZ ratio caused a quadratic increase. It is concluded that the confounding results obtainable in Deg, GP, MIC and PF can be resolved by including DEF and/or T½ among the evaluation measurements in order to improve the accuracy of predicting the nutritive value.

Flowability and handling characteristics of bulk solids and powders – a review with implications for DDGS

Much research regarding handling and storage characteristics of bulk solids has been conducted over the years. Physical properties of granular solids play a significant role in their resulting storage and flow behaviour, and are therefore essential to design appropriate, efficient, and economic bulk solids handling and storage equipment and structures. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is a bulk material that has been widely used as a protein source for ruminants and non-ruminants for more than two decades. Distillers grains are energy and nutrient dense, and are often used as a replacement for corn in animal diets. With the exponential growth of the fuel ethanol industry in the last few years, large quantities of distiller’s grains are now being produced. To effectively utilize these feeds in domestic and international markets, however, these co-product streams are increasingly being transported greater distances, and must be stored until final use. DDGS flow is problematic as it often becomes restricted by caking and bridging which occurs during transportation and storage. This issue probably results from a number of factors, including storage moisture, temperature, relative humidity, particle size, time, or temperature variations, to name a few. The objective of this study was to review the primary factors affecting flowability, handling, and storage of granular solids and powders, as well as appropriate testing methodologies for these materials. Considering these will be helpful when examining granular flowability and storage challenges for byproduct feeds, including those surrounding the use of DDGS. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IAgrE.

Effect of Moisture Content and Soluble Level on the Physical, Chemical, and Flow Properties of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

ABSTRACTDistillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a bulk material that has been widely used as a protein source for ruminants and nonruminants for more than two decades. DDGS is the nonfermentable processing residue (i.e., protein, fiber, fat, and ash) from fuel ethanol manufacturing. With the exponential growth of the fuel ethanol industry in the past several years, significant quantities (≈13.0 million tons in 2007) of distillers grains are now being produced. To effectively utilize these coproduct streams in the domestic market, DDGS must be transported greater distances and must be stored until final use. DDGS flow is often problematic as it can become restricted by caking and bridging that occur during shipping and storage. This flowability problem can present itself during dynamic and static flow conditions. This issue most likely results from physical or chemical interactions between particles (including particle size and shape), storage moisture, temperature, and relative humidity variations, as well as storage time. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of five moisture content levels (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% db) on the resulting physical and chemical properties of DDGS with four soluble levels (10, 15, 20, and 25% db). To produce these materials, condensed distillers solubles (CDS) were combined with DDG, and appropriate quantities of water were added to adjust moisture contents. Carr indices were used to quantify the flowability of the DDGS samples. The results showed that both soluble level and moisture content had noticeable effects on physical and flow properties (e.g., aerated bulk density, packed bulk density, and compressibility). According to dispersibility, flowability index, and floodability index, flowability generally declined significantly (P &lt; 0.05) with an increase in moisture content for most of the soluble levels under consideration. The color values and protein content of the DDGS were significantly affected (P &lt; 0.05) as soluble level increased as well.