Biology

Biorefining process could allow pigs, chickens and fish to digest grass

Here, small fibrous residues are filtered from protein juice in a small laboratory. Credit: Stefan Adler

Currently, grass is mainly used directly as feed for cattle and other ruminants. These animals have multicompartmental stomachs specialized for breaking down plant fibers.

In the biorefining process, plant material is crudely processed in a screw press and valuable nutrients are released from the plant cells along with a liquid fraction. This allows grass proteins to be concentrated to obtain a protein feed that is digestible even by animals with simple stomachs such as poultry, pigs and fish.

More than 50% of Norway’s agricultural production is pasture

NIBIO recently opened Norway’s first green biorefining pilot plant at the Tuv experimental farm in Steinkjer.

“More than 50% of Norway’s agricultural production is pasture. At the same time, along the Norwegian coast there is a lot of seaweed with a protein content of up to 30%. We plan to develop the factory along these two lines. “We have a vision,” said Audun-Kolsas. , Director of NIBIO’s Food Production and Social Department during the opening of the Green Biorefinery.

Kolsas emphasized that the combination of grass and algae allows biorefinery plants to be used year-round.

“There is a huge need for new feed ingredients in the future, both in the aquaculture industry and in poultry and other livestock production,” said Gjermund Bahr, Senior Advisor at NIBIO’s Biological and Marine Resources Assessment Department. Barr, who previously worked in the aquaculture industry, points out that the biorefining process releases many nutrients that meet the requirements of the aquaculture industry.

Based on the experience in Denmark

The pilot plant was developed in collaboration with researchers from Aarhus University. They have already established a demonstration plant and contributed to the development of two commercial plants in Denmark. Danish researchers have already produced some interesting results in trials using animal feed for chickens and pigs made from Danish lei.

“Pig feeding trials tested a grass-based concentrate containing 47% crude protein. The trial showed that up to 15% of this could be added to pig feed without compromising meat quality. More recent trials have confirmed that soy can be successfully replaced,” says researcher Lene Stødkilde-Jørgensen from Aarhus University.

How to feed pigs, chickens, and fish grass

Norway’s first green biorefinery facility will be installed at Tubre Research Farm in May 2024. Credit: Haldis Kismul

Chicken and cow feeding trials

NIBIO is also conducting feeding trials on chickens and cows with partners in the “One Crop, Two Meals” project. Dairy cows at the Mahle Agricultural School in Steingel are fed pulp, the fibrous pressing residue left at the end of the biorefinery process.

“We expect dairy cows to produce the same amount of milk whether they are fed pulp or regular silage. We believe that cows may have less time to chew their cud for complete digestion, resulting in a decrease in milk production.” Requiring concentrates in a cow’s diet may cause the cow to belch less. Methane emissions will be reduced,” said Haldis Kismal, a researcher at the NIBIO Grassland and Livestock Department.

Challenges: quantity, quality, economy

However, further research is needed before feed production from green biorefineries becomes economically viable. In Denmark, grass protein is still two to three times more expensive than imported soybean.

“When it comes to concentrate feed, there is a shortage of protein, especially for chickens.The challenge is that feed mills need large amounts of feed with consistent quality, and to produce feed that is economically viable for farmers to use. There is a need for this,” said Managing Director Kari Ryokujer. One of the participants in the “One Crop Two Diets” project of Felleskjøpet Feed Development.

The researchers also hope to explore ways to create new high-value products from what’s left after the most valuable protein concentrates are extracted from the biorefinery process.

Steffen Adler, research scientist at NIBIO’s Grassland and Livestock Bureau and Project Leader for “One Crop, Two Meals,” is optimistic about the research opportunities that new plants will bring.

“This plant will be important for national and international research projects and could also serve as a demonstration plant for collaborations with industry. I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do.”

Facts about green biorefining

Green biorefinery processes include various main products and several by-products. Green protein concentrate has great potential as a protein source for pigs, poultry, and possibly fish. It can be used as a raw material for nutritional supplements and new drugs. Glass whey is used as fertilizer or as a feedstock for biogas production. Researchers are exploring new applications, including the production of single-cell proteins, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, pharmacology, and more. The fiber pulp can be used as a feedstock for biogas production or ensiled and used as ruminant feed. Researchers are exploring new application areas such as construction materials, textiles, and paper industries.

Provided by Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy

Citation: Biorefining process could make grass digestible for pigs, chickens and fish (November 8, 2024), https://phys.org/news/2024-11-biorefining-grass- Retrieved November 8, 2024 from digestible-pigs-chickens. html

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