Researchers Feed Pigs, Chickens High-Protein Ethanol Leftovers

By CnAgri2012-08-16 20:06:31 Print

Initial studies show a fungus grown in the leftovers of ethanol production could be a good energy feed for pigs and chickens.

In separate feeding trials, nursery pigs and chickens have eaten high-protein fungi that Hans van Leeuwen and other Iowa State University researchers have produced in a pilot plant that converts ethanol leftovers into food-grade fungi. The production process also cleans some of the water used to produce ethanol, boosting the amount of water that can be recycled back into biofuel production and saving energy on water cleanup and co-product recovery.

So far in the feeding trials, researchers have found pig performance wasn't impacted when dried fungi were substituted for corn or soybean meal, said Nicholas Gabler, an assistant professor of animal science. Researchers are still studying the effects of the feed on amino acid availability, tissue growth, and intestinal health.

The fungi produce a high-energy feed for chickens, said Mike Persia, an assistant professor of animal science. He said more studies need to be done, "but generally I think there's some value there."

The fungi-production process was developed by a research team led by van Leeuwen, a professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering. The process has two patents pending and has won several major awards -- most recently it was named the global grand winner of the International Water Association's 2012 Project Innovation Awards in Applied Research.

"It's a great feeling," van Leeuwen said of the latest award. "The International Water Association is the top water quality organization in the world. We were up against multi-million dollar projects and we've been working on a shoestring. To get this is as gratifying as winning an Olympic medal."

Van Leeuwen, who was named R&D Magazine's 2009 Innovator of the Year, and the research team have been working on their "MycoMeal" process for several years. It began as an idea to improve the dry-grind process used to produce ethanol from corn.