Does the use of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in layer diets affect the nutrients digestibility and manure pollution by nitrogen and phosphorous?

A strategy of co-fermentation of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and lignocellulosic feedstocks as swine feed

To meet the sustainable development of the swine feed industry, it is essential to find alternative feed resources and develop new feed processing technologies. Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a by-product from the ethanol industry consisting of adequate nutrients for swine and is an excellent choice for the swine farming industry. Here, a strategy of co-fermentation of DDGS and lignocellulosic feedstocks for production of swine feed was discussed. The potential of the DDGS and lignocellulosic feedstocks as feedstock for fermented pig feed and the complementary relationship between them were described. In order to facilitate the swine feed research in co-fermentation of DDGS and lignocellulosic feedstocks, the relevant studies on strain selection, fermentation conditions, targeted metabolism, product nutrition, as well as the growth and health of swine were collected and critically reviewed. This review proposed an approach for the production of easily digestible and highly nutritious swine feed via co-fermentation of DDGS and lignocellulosic feedstocks, which could provide a guide for cleaner swine farming, relieve stress on the increasing demand of high-value swine feed, and finally support the ever-increasing demand of the pork market.

Hydrothermal carbonization of distillers grains with clay minerals for enhanced adsorption of phosphate and methylene blue

A novel one-pot synthesis method was developed to prepare modified hydrochar by co-hydrothermal carbonization of waste distillers grains using low-cost clay minerals (attapulgite or vermiculite). The loading of the clay minerals onto hydrochar surfaces altered the structure and surface composition of the hydrochar such that the clay-modified hydrochars showed better ability to adsorb methylene blue and phosphate in aqueous solution than the pristine hydrochar. The maximum methylene blue and phosphate adsorption capacities of the modified hydrochar reached 340.3 and 96.9 mg g^-1, respectively, comparable or higher than that of many commercial sorbents. Multiple mechanisms, including electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, complexation, and physical adsorption, controlled the adsorption process. These results highlight excellent potential for distillers grains-derived hydrochar-clay composites as an environmental sorbent, capable of removing a variety of contaminants from aqueous solutions.

Influences of dietary crude protein and stocking density on growth performance and body measurements of ostrich chicks

Thirty-six African Black ostrich chicks were used to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) levels (180, 210 and 240 g/kg), stocking density (4.5 and 3 m2/bird) and their interactions. A factorial arrangement was used to examine the impact of treatments on growth performance and body measurements of ostrich chicks during 2 to 10 weeks of the age. Results indicated that factors studied did not change growth performance traits. The highest value of protein efficiency ratio was observed in ostrich chicks fed diet contained 240 g/kg diet. Birds fed diet contained 240 g CP /kg diet and kept at stocking density of 3 m2 per bird had numerically the highest protein efficiency ratio. Shank girth and tibiotarsus length decreased with increasing dietary CP level. Stocking density did not change values of body measurements, except tibiotarsus length at 6 weeks of age, which increased in birds kept at the lower density than the higher. Body height at 10 weeks of age was significantly affected by the interactions between dietary CP and stocking density. In conclusion, results affirmed that ostrich chicks can grow on diets containing low levels of CP (180-210 g/kg). Our results provide a comprehensive set of morphometric data for ostrich chicks as affected by the factors studied.

Laying Performance, Physical, and Internal Egg Quality Criteria of Hens Fed Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles and Exogenous Enzyme Mixture

Simple Summary

The present study was designed to investigate the simultaneous use of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and exogenous enzyme mixture (EEM) on layer performance and egg characteristics. Results confirmed that DDGS is an acceptable feed ingredient in layer diets and that the maximum inclusion level of DDGS in the diet should be around 12% for the best performance and egg characteristics.

Abstract

The effects of dietary inclusion of distillers dried grains with solubles in laying hen diets with and without exogenous enzyme mixture (EEM) on performance and egg characteristics were evaluated. One of the main objectives of this study was to examine the effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and enzyme cocktail on egg yolk fatty acids. The study used total of 144 Hisex Brown laying hens in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, including four levels of DDGS (0, 6, 12, and 18% of diet) and two levels of enzyme cocktail (0 or 250 mg EEM/kg of diet) through 32–42 weeks of the age. The inclusion of 18% DDGS was associated with the worst (p ≤ 0.001) egg production and the lowest daily feed intake. Numerically, hens fed 6% DDGS diet consumed more feed and had the greatest egg production. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in the control, while the worst was recorded in the 18% DDGS group. Compared with EEM-free diets, EEM supplementation improved FCR by about 2.79%, but the difference was not significant. Shell thickness and shell percentage were significantly increased in hens fed 6% DDGS diet compared to other groups. Egg weights in the 6% and 12% DDGS groups were significantly higher than those in the control and 18% DDGS groups. Non-significant increases in shell and albumin percentages were recorded in groups fed EEM-supplemented diets. The interaction effect of DDGS and EEM was significant (p ≤ 0.01) for the majority of egg characteristics. As dietary DDGS level increased, yolk color density increased. Elevating DDGS level up to 18% increased yolk cholesterol, total fat, and total unsaturated fatty acids. The effects of EEM supplementation on egg yolk fatty acid composition and the interaction effects between DDGS and EEM were not significant. Considering these results, it could be concluded that DDGS is an acceptable feed ingredient in layer diets and that the maximum inclusion level of DDGS should not exceed 12% of the whole diet.