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RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY GLYCERIN AS POTENTIALLY VALUABLE NEW FEED INGREDIENT FOR POULTRY
Article in February Issue of Poultry Science Reports that Glycerin is Very Well Utilized by Poultry, with an Apparent Metabolizable Energy Value with Broilers of Up to 95%
SAVOY, IL (January 21, 2008) – As poultry producers struggle with rising feed prices due to the increasing use of corn for ethanol production, they may soon benefit from a cost-effective feed ingredient generated as a byproduct of another type of biofuel. As detailed in the February issue of Poultry Science, researchers have for the first time determined that the energy in glycerin, a co-product created in the production of biodiesel, is almost completely metabolized when used as an ingredient in feed for broiler chickens.
The findings point to the potential for significant cost savings for poultry producers, as greater amounts of glycerin become available for use in feed, due to the rapidly increasing production of biodiesel. From 2006 to 2007, for example, U.S. production of biodiesel, a fuel for diesel engines, almost doubled, jumping from 250 million to 450 million gallons, resulting in the creation of an additional 18 million gallons of glycerin.
Glycerin and biodiesel are produced by the transesterfication of triglycerides found in soybean and corn oils, and animal fats from processing plants, in a process using methanol and sodium hydroxide.
Poultry Science is scientific journal published monthly by the Poultry Science Association (PSA).
Findings
In an article entitled “Metabolizable Energy Value of Glycerin,”1 authors W.A. Dozier et al detail the results of a series of three energy balance experiments conducted to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of glycerin using broiler chickens of diverse ages. They found that “[t]he average AMEn of glycerin across the three experiments was 3,434 kcal/kg, which is similar to its gross energy (GE) content. These results indicate that AMEn of glycerin is utilized efficiently by broiler chickens.”
The authors conclude that, based on their research, the AMEn content of glycerin “can be assigned 92 to 95% of its GE.”
Explaining the potential significance of their findings to industry, lead author Dr. William Dozier, a research scientist with the USDA Agriculture Research Service at the Poultry Research Unit at Mississippi State University, noted:
“Over the last two years, the U.S. poultry industry has spent an additional $2 billion on feed costs, due to higher corn prices resulting from ethanol production. Given that the recent energy bill signed by President Bush will increase ethanol production significantly, corn prices will likely continue to climb. Consequently, finding alternative sources for feed ingredients is vital in controlling production costs for the industry, and, ultimately, retail costs for consumers. Glycerin is used very efficiently by the bird because AMEn of glycerin approximates 95% of its gross energy. With the rapid increase in the production of biodiesel bringing a great deal more glycerin onto the market, glycerin therefore has the potential to become an increasingly affordable ingredient for poultry producers.”
About Poultry Science
Published monthly (print and online) by PSA, papers in Poultry Science focus on findings from basic (pure) scientific research, including work on breeding and genetics; production, modeling, and education; environment, well-being and behavior; immunology, health, and disease; molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; metabolism and nutrition; physiology, endocrinology, and reproduction; and processing, products, and food safety. For subscription information, see ps.fass.org/subscriptions/.
About PSA
The Poultry Science Association (PSA) is a global scientific society dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge generated by poultry research – knowledge that enhances human and animal health and well-being and provides for the ethical, sustainable, and economical production of food. Founded in 1908, PSA has a global membership of about 3,500. For more information, go to www.poultryscience.org.
1 W.A. Dozier, III, B.J. Kerr, A. Corzo, M.T. Kidd, T.E. Weber, and K. Bregendal. “Metabolizable Energy Value of Glycerin for Broiler Chickens.” Poultry Science 2008 87 (2):317-322; doi:10.3382/ps.2007-00309.
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