FEED PROCESSING ▶▶▶


Benefits of pellet binders using natural sources such as seaweed


High-quality pellets can withstand rough handling, for example during transport, storage, and conveyance in feed lines. A recent study shows that pellet binders using natural sources such as seaweed help achieve the desired pellet quality and thus improve bird performance.


BY MATTHEW WEDZERAI, FREELANCE JOURNALIST B


esides improving bird performance, the feed indus- try aims to reduce the cost of production by reduc- ing feed dustiness and wastage. Several factors af- fect pellet quality, the main one being feed


formulation. This involves the raw materials and additives used in the formulation. Some feed ingredients have a posi- tive impact on pellet quality, while others can adversely affect quality. In previous studies, researchers observed that feed formulation and grinding have a greater impact (60%) on physical pellet quality than other factors related to the pellet- ing process (40%). However, the use of synthetic pellet bind- ers (such as calcium lignosulfonate and bentonite) have no specific benefits in terms of the growth performance of the bird. In addition to bird performance, pellet binders using natural sources such as seaweed can contribute to a better environment and possibly to improved preference for the meat product.


Seaweed is a source of hydrocolloids Seaweed is an important source of hydrocolloids, such as agar, alginate, and carrageenan. These hydrocolloids are wa- ter-soluble carbohydrates that are used to increase the vis- cosity of solutions to form gels. Based on these seaweed properties, researchers from the University of Malaysia Pa- hang carried out a study to evaluate the benefits of using seaweed-based pellet binders in relation to a number of parameters. In this study, two seaweed species, Kappaphycus alvarzeii and Sargassum polycystum were used as pellet binders to evaluate


6 ▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 29, No. 9, 2021


their benefits in terms of pellet quality, growth performance, feed efficiency and the carcass characteristics of broilers from 1-35 days of age. The diets consisted of a control (no addi- tive), a commercial binder and three levels of each seaweed; Seaweed 1: basal diet + S. polycystum at 2%, 5%, and 10%, and Seaweed 2: basal diet + K. alvarezii at 2%, 5%, and 10%.


Using seaweed in pellet binders improves pellet quality Pellet quality was measured using the Pellet Durability Index (PDI), along with pellet hardness for all the diets. PDI mainly indicates the ability of the pellet to resist attrition during stor- age and transport. In terms of pellet hardness, it is generally accepted that harder pellets will also be more durable. The results of the PDI and pellet hardness measurements per- formed on the pellets produced with the addition of seaweed powder (K. alvarezii and S. polycystum) indicated an improve- ment in pellet quality. The treatment with S. polycystum add- ed had a higher PDI score than the control, the K. alvarezii and the commercial binder diets. While the PDI of both the K. al- varezii and the commercial binder were no better than the control diet, for both seaweed species, the PDI values were higher for the 2% and 5% inclusion levels than for the 10% level.


Pellet hardness using seaweed In terms of pellet hardness, the K. alvarezii at 5% achieved the highest value compared to the rest of the diets, while the S. polycystum and commercial binder were better than the con- trol. Compared to S. polycystum, the higher hardness values from K. alvarezii were attributed to its greater swelling capaci- ty and water retention capacity that improve the physical and structural properties of the pellet. In addition, K. alvarezii had greater gel strength and more viscosity compared to S. poly- cystum. This is attributed to the type of polysaccharide content in the two species. While K. alvarezii produces carra- geenan, S. polycystum does not produce carrageenan but rather alginate. Carrageenan can form a strong and rigid gel when mixed with water.


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