Food Waste Invention Halves Cattle Feed Costs

A Mexican company has patented an additive that turns waste food into nutritious livestock feed.

The microbiological activator has reduced the production costs of livestock feed by 30 to 50 per cent while reducing problematic waste material from the food industry.

Initially, the National University of Mexico (NUM) developed an agent to kill viruses and bacteria from food waste.

The additive works by promoting the development of acidophilus bacteria and fungi, a healthy intestinal environment is promoted, providing optimal pH rumen levels, according to developer, Gavino Cruz.

He underlined the problem of food waste as a public health issue, adding: “We help companies in the food branch to dispose of their waste safely and the government has another way of eliminating waste.”

Ideal waste is rich in protein, such as dairy items, sausages, or waste poultry, collected from restaurants or hotels, explained Mr Cruz.

Biotectra has stated production standards are in line with regulations across pig, sheep and cattle sectors.

Waste can be turned into a finished feed product in 72 hours, the company claimed.

An NUM veterinarian explained that nutrients are released from organic waste otherwise inaccessible to animals. The process breaks down bonds, making structural sugar digestible.

Mr Cruz explained: “Vegetables consist of two types of carbohydrates – structural and reservoir.

“Normally the body consumes and digests the latter but structural carbohydrates, known as fibre, cannot be consumed by the animal as the nutrients do not unfold.”