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VINASSES (Raw Material Data Sheet)

Escrito por: Alba Cerisuelo

VINASSES: Raw Material Data Sheet

DEFINITION & CLASSIFICATION

Vinasses are the liquid byproduct of the industrial fermentation of musts or molasses for the production of bioalcohols (biofuels), primarily.

 

Vinasses utilized in animal nutrition predominantly originate from the processing of alcohols derived from cane molasses (globally recognized as the most prevalent source) or sugar beet. Additionally, alternative sources of vinasses include those derived from agave, fruits, resulting from yeast or amino acid production, and even blends thereof. The suitability of these alternative vinasses for animal consumption depends on factors such as production volume and quality. 

Within Spain, the predominant source of vinasses stems from the distillation of alcohol produced using sugar beet molasses. The moisture levels in these raw materials fluctuate, hovering around 45%. However, contemporary technologies, particularly those harnessing solar energy, now facilitate eco-conscious dehydration of these materials.

In general, vinasses are acidic and have a high protein content (CP). However, it’s worth noting that part of the nitrogen quantified as CP is actually present as non-protein nitrogen. This holds significant importance when determining the optimal inclusion rate in monogastric feed formulations, particularly.

 

Furthermore, these substances typically contain an abundance of minerals like sulfur and phosphorus, and often exhibit markedly high levels of potassium (K). Failure to account for this potassium concentration could potentially disrupt the animals’ electrolyte equilibrium, leading to adverse effects.

On the other hand, some vinasses have high levels of vitamins, specifically vitamin B, which can be beneficial for animal health.

The “Raw Materials Catalog” (Regulation (EU) 68/2013) categorizes vinasses for animal consumption within the section labeled “12. Products and by-products acquired through microorganism-driven fermentation” (Table 1).

Table 1. Classification of vinasses according to the Catalog of Raw Materials (Regulation (EU) 68/2013).

1 Feed materials whose number starts with “12.3” can contain up to 0.6% antifoaming agents, 0.5% descaling agents, and 0.2% sulfites.

It is mandatory to declare the protein content, and if relevant, specify the substrate type and extraction procedure. Within this feed category, microorganisms stemming from prior fermentation procedures must be inactivated.

Furthermore, raw materials obtained from genetically modified microorganisms must comply with current regulations on genetically modified foods and feeds.

 

PROCUREMENT PROCESS

To illustrate the procedure involved in producing vinasse, Figure 1 presents the process of acquiring sugarcane vinasse. Conventionally, vinasses emerge subsequent to the fermentation of the must and its subsequent distillation for bioethanol extraction.

In this operational sequence, approximately 10-15 liters of vinasse result from every liter of ethanol (Fuess and Garcia, 2014). Vinasse in isolation can pose considerable environmental risks if not appropriately handled, given its elevated content of organic substances and minerals like K, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfate.

Incorporating vinasses into animal feed can ease the burden on industries that produce them, as they no longer need to search for suitable disposal solutions.

 

Figure 1.Sugarcane vinasse production process  (Source: Silva et al., 2021)

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION & NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Table 2 displays the composition data presented by FEDNA and the CVB tables concerning sugar beet vinasse, as well as the composition information compiled from the INRAE-CIRAD-AFZ tables for a broader range of vinasse types.

Overall, a consistent trend across all vinasses becomes apparent, with a relatively low dry matter content (47-67%) in comparison to other prevalent feed ingredients. 

Expressed on a dry matter basis, they exhibit a noteworthy CP content (31-64%); yet, it’s noteworthy that a substantial portion of this nitrogen is in the form of non-protein nitrogen, devoid of energy contribution. Consequently, the energy and protein values (digestible amino acids) of this component tend to be low, particularly in monogastric animals.

 

Nonetheless, in ruminants, vinasses can serve as a significant source of nitrogen. The substantial mineral content, particularly the presence of potassium (K), should be considered when integrating them into feed formulations.

Despite the comprehensive composition indicated in the table, this ingredient exhibits notable variability owing to its origin-based influence. Additionally, probably due to this variability, its characterization is complex, and in many cases, it might not align with reality. Thus, it is advisable to thoroughly analyze and investigate this raw material before its inclusion in feed formulations.

Table 2. Chemical composition (on dry matter basis) of sugar beet vinasse and a generic vinasse (different origins)

1 http://www.fundacionfedna.org/ingrediente; values expressed on a dry matter basis

2 https://feedtables.com/content/table-dry-matter; values expressed on a dry matter basis

3 https://www.cvbdiervoeding.nl/pagina/10140/sponsors.aspx; values expressed on a dry matter basis

4 Moist product obtained from blending fermentation byproducts sourced from diverse industries. Subsequently, this product has undergone concentration and demineralization processes.

USE IN ANIMAL FEED

Given their low dry matter content and non-protein nitrogen composition, the utilization of vinasses is primarily indicated for ruminants. The permissible inclusion rate in feed formulations is restricted to a maximum  of 3-4% (FEDNA, 2019) in beef cattle. In other domestic species, the maximum inclusion limit would be lower.

However, due to their significant variability, the inclusion limit can also vary based on the type and quality of the vinasse under consideration. Certain studies in existing literature suggest that it is feasible to incorporate 14% and 16% of sugar beet vinasse into diets for finishing calves and adult pigs, respectively, without inducing changes in nutrient digestibility (Stemme et al., 2005).

However, higher inclusion levels (43%) in pigs are not recommended as they can lead to digestive problems due to the high concentration of sulfates (Stemme et al., 2005).

More recent studies also suggest that the inclusion of 10% vinasse as a replacement for cottonseed can improve productive performance and organic matter digestibility without negative effects on ruminal pH in finishing calves (Gerimipour et al., 2019).

In lambs, replacing 5% of soybean meal protein with rice vinasse has been observed to have positive effects on animal performance and nutrient digestibility (Hani et al., 2019).  

 

The significant amount of nitrogen (especially non-essential amino acids and non-protein nitrogen), its potential probiotic capacity (resulting from the fermentation it originates from), and the high levels of organic acids it contains (oxalate, lactate, acetate, and malate) and sorbitol may be responsible for the positive results associated with the incorporation of vinasse into ruminant diets.. These outcomes encompass enhanced productive performance, improved nutrient digestibility, and the promotion of intestinal health.

For monogastric animals, research exploring the incorporation of this ingredient into feed formulations remains limited. However, at low inclusion levels, these ingredients can be a promising source of minerals in poultry feeds (especially in laying hens) (Süzer et al., 2022) and can improve nutrient digestibility in fattening rabbits (Alves-Ferreira et al., 2017).

 

CONCLUSIONS

The use of vinasses in animal nutrition offers both ecological and economic advantages to the industry, given the complexities associated with their disposal as waste.

Furthermore, from the perspective of animal nutrition, the utilization of byproducts that do not compete with human consumption as a nutrient source is desirable, encompassing environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Vinasses are ingredients with a substantial potential for use in ruminant diets due to their high non-protein nitrogen content. Conversely, their high mineral load can be advantageous when used at lower levels in monogastric animals such as poultry.

Nonetheless, their notable variability and intricate characterization underscore the need for dedicated endeavors to refine their delineation, thus enabling to extend their safe and efficient use.

You may also like to read: “Palm kernel cake and meal (Raw materials sheet)”

Source: This article was originally published as content in spanish in NUTRIEWS JUNIO 2023 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alves-Ferreira, F. N., Motta-Ferreira, W., Silva-Neta, C. S., da Silva-Inácio, D. F., das Neves-Mota, K.C., da Costa-Júnior, M. B., da Rocha, L. F., Boscoli-Lara, L., de Oliveira-Fontes, D.. 2017. Effect of dietary inclusion of dried or autoclaved sugarcane bagasse and vinasse on live performance and in vitro evaluations on growing rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology, Volume 230, Pages 87-95.

Gerimipour, A., Azin, M., Sanjabi, M. 2019. The effect of vinasse on the growth performance and feed digestibility of Holstein male calves. Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences. 41. 45666.

Hani, M., El-Zaiat, D. D. R., Harold, O. P., Sobhy, M.A. S. 2019. Assessment of using dried vinasse rice to replace soybean meal in lambs diets: In vitro, lambs performance and economic evaluation. Small Ruminant Research, Volume 173, Pages 1-8.

Silva, A.F.R., Brasil, Y.L., Koch, K., Amaral, M.C.S. 2021. Resource recovery from sugarcane vinasse by anaerobic digestion – A review. Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 295, 113137.

Stemme, K., Gerdes, B., Harms, A., Kamphues, J. 2005. Beet-vinasse (condensed molasses solubles) as an ingredient in diets for cattle and pigs – nutritive value and limitations. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 89(3-6):179-83. 

Süzer, B., Eren, G., Atamay, K. 2022. Promising effects of vinasse use on bone strength in laying hens. Journal of Research in Veterinary Medicine 41:117-122.

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