Wheat milling fractions as a carrier of sugar beet molasses - physical properties of pellets

摘要

Sugar beet molasses (SBM) is a by-product of sugar refining. SBM should be added in animal feed for ruminants for supplying the rumen with rapidly fermentable energy in the form of sugars, and in feed for non-ruminants as a concentrated energy source. Technological limitations of addition of high viscous liquids in animal feed impose limitations of amounts of added liquids. There is a need for a dry product with high concentration of SBM and with good physical properties. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate suitability of use of wheat milling fractions as a carrier of SBM in pelleted form. Three wheat milling fractions (milled whole wheat grain (WW), wheat feed flour (WF) and wheat middlings (WM)) were used as a carrier, and 0, 3, 6 and 9% (w/w) of SBM is applied on them. Addition of SBM reduced temperature at pellet press (highest temperature was achieved with WW and lowest with WM) and decreased bulk density of pellets, due its lubricating effect. SBM reduced hardness of pellets, which also depended on raw material. Visual inspection of pellets showed that surface of WM pellets with 9 % (w/w) of SBM had leaf structure, while surfaces of pellets made of WW and WF were smooth and without gaps. Particle size distribution of raw materials did not have strong influence on pellet quality. WW and WF could be used as a carrier of 9 % (w/w) of molasses while maximum concentration of molasses which could be applied on WM, in order to produce pellets, is 6 % (w/w).