Bio-processing of agro-byproducts to animal feed

Abstract

Agricultural and food-industry residues constitute a major proportion (almost 30%) of worldwide agricultural production. These wastes mainly comprise lignocellulosic materials, fruit and vegetable wastes, sugar-industry wastes as well as animal and fisheries refuse and byproducts. Agro-residues are rich in many bioactive and nutraceutical compounds, such as polyphenolics, carotenoids and dietary fiber among others. Agro residues are a major valuable biomass and present potential solutions to problems of animal nutrition and the worldwide supply of protein and calories, if appropriate technologies can be used for their valorization by nutrient enrichment. Technologies available for protein enrichment of these wastes include solid substrate fermentation, ensiling, and high solid or slurry processes. Technologies to be developed for the reprocessing of these wastes need to take account of the peculiarities of individual wastes and the environment in which they are generated, reprocessed, and used. In particular, such technologies need to deliver products that are safe, not just for animal feed use, but also from the perspective of human feeding. This review focuses on the major current applications of solid-state fermentation in relation to the feed sector.

Mediterranean agro‐industrial wastes as valuable substrates for lignocellulolytic enzymes and protein production by solid‐state fermentation

“…This may be because vessels provide large open spaces for hyphae growth and because ray cells contain a large amount of nutrients and a low inhibitors content . The degradation of structure of agro‐food wastes by SSF may favour the digestibility of these wastes by animals and increase the accessibility to their nutrients . In this sense, the use of fermented agro‐food wastes by Aspergillus species has been evaluated as feed for pigs, showing a better digestibility compared with unfermented wastes .…”

“…In this sense, the utilization of agro‐food wastes has been proposed for animal feed. Wastes utilization as an alternative source for animal feed needs huge attention because their recycling and reduction are good ways to minimize environmental pollution and improve the present living conditions . Currently, 33% of croplands are used for livestock feed production, which is a key factor in deforestation.…”

“…In recent years there has been further focus on improving the protein content of lignocellulosic wastes by SSF . Bioprocessing of wastes by SSF is a low‐cost technique to obtain nutritive animal feed .…”

Using agro-industrial wastes for the cultivation of microalgae and duckweeds: Contamination risks and biomass safety concerns

“…Mycotoxins could be a concern if contaminated agro-food wastes and by-products are used as nutrient source for growing microalgae/duckweed. Fungi can easily contaminate agro-food products generating mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin, zearalone, deoxynivalenol, which can have a wide range of effects including carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity (Ajila et al, 2012;Kolpin et al, 2014). Dioxins are halogenated organic compounds generated in industrial processes.…”

Productive performance and parasitological control of kids supplemented with umbu fruits (Spondias tuberosa Arruda)

“…Supplementation with by-products from the agro-industry (AJILA et al, 2012) or native fruits from the Caatinga biome may be an important alternative to improve animal's performance (NUNES et al, 2015). The umbu tree (Spondias tuberosa Arruda) is a native species of the Brazilian semi-arid region that can live over a hundred years withstanding the most severe water shortage conditions.…”