Removal of ammonia from poultry manure by aluminosilicates

Diet Composition and Using Probiotics or Symbiotics Can Modify the Urinary and Faecal Nitrogen Ratio of Broiler Chicken's Excreta and Also the Dynamics of In Vitro Ammonia Emission

The objective of this research was to determine whether diet composition, or adding probiotic or symbiotic feed additives to broiler diets can modify the N composition of the excreta and the dynamics of ammonia volatilization from the manure. A total of 574 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were fed four different diets. The treatments included a corn and soybean meal-based control diets (C), wheat-based and wheat bran containing diets (W), a multi-strain probiotic treatment (Broilact^®; Br), and a symbiotic additive containing Bacillus subtilis, inulin, and Saccharomices cerevisiae (Sy). Feeding the wheat-based diet significantly improved the weight gain and FCR of chickens. Treatment W also significantly increased the dry matter content of the excreta compared with the probiotic and symbiotic treatments. Both Br and Sy tended to decrease the amount of excreted uric acid, which is the main substrate of ammonia. Treatment Sy reduced the urinary N ratio of the excreta in comparison with treatment W. The symbiotic additive resulted in significantly higher ammonia emission in the first two hours. On the other hand, the dynamics of the emission was slow at the beginning and increased steeply after 15 h when the wheat-based diets were fed. Based on our results, the wheat-based diets, containing soluble arabinoxylans, and the symbiotic treatments of broiler diets have an impact on the urinary and faecal nitrogen composition of the excreta, and also on the dynamics of ammonia release from the manure.

Effects of Feed-Through Sulfur on Growth Performance, Atmospheric Ammonia Levels, and Footpad Lesions in Broilers Raised Beginning with Built-Up Litter

To the poultry industry, ammonia accumulation within poultry houses can be a costly issue, as this can lead to problems with bird performance, damage to economically important parts such as paws, and customer disapproval due to animal welfare concerns. Common management practices for ammonia control can be quite effective; however, these methods are used variably from farm to farm, which necessitates ammonia control measures that poultry companies can more uniformly implement across all contract growers. One possible measure is ammonia control through feed additives, which would allow poultry companies more direct control over the treatment. This project explored the efficacy of elemental sulfur added directly to the feed (feed-through sulfur) in controlling litter ammonia levels, live performance, and paw quality of broilers raised on built-up litter over three successive flocks. Feed-through sulfur on its own showed inconsistent effects on performance or footpad lesions after 38 days of production compared to sodium bisulfate or control treatments. However, combination of feed-through sulfur and sodium bisulfate showed a potential synergistic effect on ammonia levels and litter pH, although there were few differences between treatments and controls; therefore, additional research must be explored to confirm these observations.

Characteristics of Volcanic Tuff from Macicasu (Romania) and Its Capacity to Remove Ammonia from Contaminated Air

In the present work, the capability of the volcanic tuff from Macicasu (Romania) to remove ammonia (NH₃) from air with different contamination levels during 24 h of adsorption experiments was investigated. The natural zeolitic volcanic tuff was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The adsorption capacities varied between 0.022 mg NH₃ g⁻¹ zeolite and 0.282 mg NH₃ g⁻¹ zeolite, depending on the NH₃ concentrations in the air and at the contact time. The nonlinear forms of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to fit the experimental data. Additionally, the adsorption of NH₃ was studied using nonlinear pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), and Elovich kinetic model. Based on the total volume of pores of used volcanic tuff, the NH₃ was removed from the air both due to the physical adsorption of NH₃ gas and the ion exchange of NH₄⁺ (resulted from a reaction between NH₃ and H₂O adsorbed by the zeolite). Depending on the initial NH₃ concentration and the amount of volcanic tuff, the NH₃ concentrations can be reduced below the threshold of this contaminant in the air. The adsorption capacity of NH₃ per unit of zeolite (1 g) varied in the range of 0.022–0.282 mg NH₃ g⁻¹ depending on the NH₃ concentration in the air.

Effect of Zeolite Supplementation on Gene Expression in the Intestinal Mucosa in the Context of Immunosafety Support in Poultry

Zeolite is an effective and non-toxic silicate mineral. Its properties are widely used in industry due to its sorption and ion exchange properties. Due to its excellent chemical properties, it has also great potential in poultry production as a food additive or supplement to bedding. This is of great importance for the biosafety and hygiene of production. The study aimed to analyse the effects of simultaneous application of zeolite to feed and bedding on production parameters and expression of genes related to intestinal tightness, organism defence, and immune response. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in the experiment. In the experimental group, an external factor in the form of a powdery zeolite was used for feed and pelleted bedding. On the day of slaughter, the caecal mucosa was collected for gene expression analysis. We showed no significant changes in the tissue composition of the carcasses, but zeolite had a beneficial effect on the carcass yield. The analysis of the immune gene panel showed a significant increase in the expression of the interleukins and interferons genes. We have demonstrated the effect of zeolite on the improvement of the intestinal barrier and increasing the tightness of the intestines. There were no changes in gene expression related to the host’s defence against infections; therefore, based on the obtained results, it was concluded that zeolite can be considered an immunomodulating factor of the immune system.

Effect of Natural Sorbents in the Diet of Fattening Pigs on Meat Quality and Suitability for Processing

The effect of three natural sorbents added to the diet of pigs on the composition and physicochemical properties of two skeletal muscles-the musculusLongissimuslumborum (MLL) and musculussemimembranosus (MSM) of crossbred pigs were evaluated. The experiment was carried out on a farm in two production cycles. The addition of biochar (trial 1) significantly influenced instrumental color parameters, shear force and energy, and the oxidative stability of the skeletal muscles, while the proximate composition, pH, texture, and water-holding capacity (WHC) parameters did not differ significantly between groups in either of the two muscles. Similarly, no statistical differences were noted in the proximate chemical composition, texture parameters, or WHC of the meat in trial 2. The addition of both sorbents was associated with a significantly (p ≤ 0.01) lower content of haem pigments in the MLL and MSM, which was accompanied by a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher lightness (L*). Moreover, the MLL muscle of the pigs had higher oxidative stability, as well as lower drip loss (DL). In turn, the MSM of pigs had a significantly lower pH compared to the control group, however, the ultimate pH (48 h) in all groups was within the acceptable range (5.50-5.80). Summing up, the sorbents used are a safe ingredient in the diet of pigs, however, there is a need to continue and strengthen this line of research, including the relationships linking the future production goals of pig farming and processing potential in the meat industry with current climate policy.

Aluminosilicates at different levels in rye litter and feed affect the growth and meat quality of broiler chickens

Litter sanitation treatments and feed supplements that stimulate bird growth. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of zeolite (z) and halloysite (h) in feed and rye straw litter on growth performance, meat quality in chickens. 500 males Ross 308 were allocated to 5 groups (10 replicates). Feed for groups 2–5 was supplemented with halloysite and zeolite (25:75). The content of aluminosilicates in the feed was different depending on the feeding phase: 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2%. The following doses were used in litter: 2, 0.800 kg/m² h; 3, 0.400 kg/m² h and 0.400 kg/m² z; 4, 0.800 kg/m² z; 5, 0.200 kg/m² h, and 0.600 kg/m² z. Growth, and meat quality were analysed. Body weight and body weight gain were higher in groups 2–5 than in group 1, while feed intake was lower in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Body weight, the weight of carcass, and most of its elements were higher in the experimental groups (p < 0.05). Breast muscles from group 1 were characterised by better water-holding capacity and higher protein content, while those from 4 had higher content of collagen and water (p < 0.05). Breast muscles from group 3 were characterized by lower yellowness than in 2 (p < 0.05). Leg muscles from group 1 were characterized by lower redness than in 4 (p < 0.05). Water-holding capacity was better in group 3 and protein content was higher in 2 (p < 0.05). The content of fat in leg muscle was lower in all experimental groups compared to control (p < 0.05). This indicates the suitability of aluminosilicates in poultry management practice, with better growth and meat quality.

Dietary inclusion of AZOMITE improves feed efficiency in broilers and egg production in laying and broiler breeder hens

The dietary inclusion of aluminosilicates has been reported to enhance pellet quality, improve feed mill throughput, bind toxins, improve feed efficiency, and promote immunological function across a variety of production systems. AZOMITE is a product marketed as a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate containing macro and trace minerals, and rare earth elements and the potential benefits of its dietary inclusion in broiler, layer, and broiler breeder diets was investigated. In a battery study, broilers were fed diets containing 0, 0.125, 0.250, or 0.500% AZOMITE from 0 to 21 d of age. Laying hens were fed a control diet or this diet supplemented with 0.25% AZOMITE from 54 through 98 wk of age, with the hens fed a standard molting diet or this diet supplemented with 0.25% AZOMITE from 71 to 72 wk of age. Broiler breeder hens were fed a control diet or this diet supplemented with 0.25% AZOMITE from the onset of photostimulation at 21 wk of age through 65 wk of age. All 3 dietary inclusion rates of AZOMITE improved (P < 0.05) the feed to body weight gain ratio in broilers fed these diets relative to broilers fed the control diet. In laying hens total marketable eggs, and in broiler breeder hens total settable eggs were increased (P < 0.05) with the dietary inclusion of AZOMITE by 8 eggs per hen. The inclusion of dietary AZOMITE also improved apparent Ca and P digestibility in broilers and tibia ash content in laying hens. The results indicate the dietary inclusion of AZOMITE in poultry diets improves bird performance.

An investigation of anticoccidial veterinary drugs as emerging organic contaminants in groundwater

Intensification of the food production system to meet increased global demand for food has led to veterinary pharmaceuticals becoming a critical component in animal husbandry. Anticoccidials are a group of veterinary products used to control coccidiosis in food-producing animals, with primary prophylactic use in poultry production. Excretion in manure and subsequent land-spreading provides a potential pathway to groundwater. Information on the fate and occurrence of these compounds in groundwater is scant, therefore these substances are potential emerging organic contaminants of concern. A study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of anticoccidial compounds in groundwater throughout the Republic of Ireland. Twenty-six anticoccidials (6 ionophores and 20 synthetic anticoccidials) were analysed at 109 sites (63 boreholes and 46 springs) during November and December 2018. Sites were categorised and selected based on the following source and pathway factors: (a) the presence/absence of poultry activity (b) predominant aquifer category and (c) predominant groundwater vulnerability, within the zone of contribution (ZOC) for each site. Seven anticoccidials, including four ionophores (lasalocid, monensin, narasin and salinomycin) and three synthetic anticoccidials (amprolium, diclazuril and nicarbazin), were detected at 24% of sites at concentrations ranging from 1 to 386 ng L^-1. Monensin and amprolium were the two most frequently detected compounds, detected at 15% and 7% of sites, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis has shown that source factors are the most significant drivers of the occurrence of anticoccidials, with no definitive relationships between occurrence and pathway factors. The study found that the detection of anticoccidial compounds is 6.5 times more likely when poultry activity is present within the ZOC of a sampling point, compared to the absence of poultry activity. This work presents the first detections of these contaminants in Irish groundwater and it contributes to broadening our understanding of the environmental occurrence and fate of anticoccidial veterinary products.

Concentrations of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in natural animal feed additives

The study aimed to assess the concentration of dioxins, furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in natural feed additives used in animal nutrition. The research material consisted of four natural sorbents used as feed additives registered in the EU. The samples were analysed for the content of six octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (OCDDs) congeners, nine octachlorodibenzofurans (OCDFs) and fourteen dL-PCBs, and seven PCB congeners. Detailed analysis was performed using gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Analysing the results of congeners of individual sorbents, it was found that they were below the limit of detection or quantification and can be used as feed additives.

Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions following the application of clinoptilolite on the litter of a breeding hen house

The husbandry of chicken for meat generates high levels of gases, being a serious problem for the health of birds and workers as well as for the environment. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of clinoptilolite as litter additive on the concentrations and emissions of ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄) from a breeding hen house under Mediterranean climate conditions. Two similar breeding hen houses were selected, and one house was assigned as control whereas the other house was treated with clinoptilolite as a litter additive. Data were collected during the winter season, in two occasions, first between 26 November and 18 December 2017 and second from 1 to 20 February 2018. Results showed that the application of clinoptilolite on the litter of a breeding hen house reduces the NH₃ and N₂O losses in 28 and 34%, respectively, but appears to have no effect on CO₂ losses. In addition, the in-house CH₄ concentrations were below the detection limits.