Quality of Meat from Cattle Fed Sewage Solids 1

Valorization of protein-rich waste and its application

Energy shortages present significant challenges with the rising population and dramatic urbanization development. The effective utilization of high-value products generated from massive protein-rich waste has emerged as an excellent solution for mitigating the growing energy crisis. However, the traditional disposal and treatment of protein-rich waste, have been proven to be ineffective in resource utilization, which led to high chemical oxygen demand and water eutrophication. To effectively address this issue, hydrolysate and bioconversion products from protein-rich waste have been widely investigated. Herein, we aim to provide an overview of the valorization of protein-rich waste based on a comprehensive analysis of publicly available literature. Firstly, the sources of protein-rich waste with various quantities and qualities are systematically summarized. Then, we scrutinize and analyze the hydrolysis approaches of protein-rich waste and the versatile applications of hydrolyzed products. Moreover, the main factors influencing protein biotransformation and the applications of bioconversion products are covered and extensively discussed. Finally, the potential prospects and future directions for the valorization of protein-rich waste are proposed pertinently.

Protein recovery from excess sludge for its use as animal feed

In this study, the possibility of using proteins recovered from excess sludge as animal feed was investigated. The proteins were recovered through the processes of sludge disintegration (alkali treatment followed by ultra-sonication), precipitation and drying of the soluble proteins. The compositions and the toxicants of the recovered proteins were analyzed, and the toxicity was assessed by Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat experiments. The results showed that the nutrient compositions were comparable with the commercial protein feeds. Heavy metals were found to be removed after the protein recovery process, and aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and Salmonella D groups were not detected. The rat toxicity tests showed that there were no effects on mortality, the incidence of clinical signs, body weight changes, and necropsy findings. The minimum lethal dose (MLD) was higher than 2000 mg/kg. Based on these results, the use of the crude protein recovered from excess sludge as animal feed appears to be technically feasible.

A study of toxic effects of heavy metal contaminants from sludge-supplemented diets on male Wistar rats

Activated sludge is a rich source of nitrogenous matter and has been recommended as cheap supplement in animal feed. It has been incorporated into cattle and poultry feed. It is well known that sewage of purely domestic origin is also contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, and other organic pollutants. A study was undertaken to determine the toxic effects of heavy metal-contaminated domestic sewage sludge on young male Wistar rats by supplementing dehydrated activated sludge in their diet at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20%. The sludge was found to be contaminated with 1.820 (zinc), 0.273 (nickel), 0.017 (lead), 0.053 (copper), 0.006 (chromium), and 0.005 (cadmium)mg/g of dry sludge, by analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The toxic effects of sludge-supplemented diets on individual groups of rats were assessed by assaying various enzyme activities in serum, liver, muscle, and brain. Levels of serum and liver alanine aminotransferase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were significantly low in all the sludge-supplemented diet-fed (SSDF) rats. Similarly, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and muscle SDH activity were also significantly reduced in the SSDF rats. On the other hand, liver and muscle LDH, serum and liver aspartate aminotransferase, and serum and muscle alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly higher in all the SSDF animals. Brain and muscle acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly high in all the SSDF groups. This study indicates that even though the sludge is a rich source of nitrogenous matter, its supplementation in poultry and animals feed should be done with caution. Otherwise, the contaminants found in the sludge will biomagnify in the food chain and lead to various toxicological hazards.