FEED PROCESSING ▶▶▶


Novel feed pellet binders obtained from forest biomass


Feed binders are highly effective but also expensive. This is why feed manufacturers are seeking alternative feed-binding options. A study shows that galactoglucomannan derived from spruce trees could be a promising alternative.


BY DEJAN MILADINOVIC AND CHRISTIAN SARPONG, NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES – FACULTY OF BIOSCIENCES


T 1.8 Flour


1.6 1.4 1.2 1


0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0


B1 (0.25) b ab Starch b ab a cd abc a cd bcd abc a ab a a a cd d bcd d cd cd abcd abcd Protein concentrate b b b b b b b b ab ab ab b


he size of the feed binders market, with an annual growth rate of 3%, is estimated to reach over 5 bil- lion euros worldwide by 2025. Market growth may be the result of consumers appreciating the benefits


provided by feed binders. Such additives can reduce dust in animal feed as well as operating costs, from feed manufactur- ing to consumption on the farm. These projected market dy- namics are justified by the growth of the feed industry, feed raw material price volatility on global markets and increased popularity due to better nutrition and health benefits as a


result of some feed binders. Binding agents currently used for feed production are highly effective; however, many binders are expensive. So feed manufacturers are seeking cost-effec- tive, highly cohesive binding agents with low inclusion rates. Rapid changes in feed formulations, based on the need to re- duce total costs and increase benefits are forcing feed manu- facturers to seek alternative feed-binding options. Feed bind- ers based on lignosulphonates represent the fastest growing segment in the feed binder market. Poultry feed manufactur- ers currently dominate in terms of the overall use of feed binders and growth in this market segment is expected to be strongest in the Asia and Pacific regions. The purpose of feed pelleting is to agglomerate particles of feed into larger solid particles using pressure, moisture and heat. That is why pellets must have good physical quality in terms of hardness and durability to withstand the rigours of transportation within the feed plant as well as to farms. Demand for commercialising such feed additives is chal- lenging as it needs to meet ethical, environmental and economic criteria.


Figure 1 - P-max of the diets containing wheat flour, starch and protein concentrate with different binders at different inclusion levels. Different letters indicate significant differences for bars of the same color.


ab


a B1 (0.5)


B1 (1)


ab B2 (0.25)


ab


a B2 (0.5)


a


B2 (1)


a B3 (0.25)


a B3 (0.5)


B3 (1)


ab


a


Binders (inclusion level B4


(0.25) 14 ▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 29, No. 3, 2021


a B4 (0.5)


B4 (1)


ab


a B5 (0.25)


a B5 (0.5)


ab


B5 (1)


a B6 (0.25) B6 (0.5)


ab


b


B6 (1)


P-max (N/mm2)


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