J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1979. 48:178-192.
© 1979 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Calvert, C. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Calvert, C. C.

Use of Animal Excreta for Microbial and Insect Protein Synthesis1

C. C. Calvert2

Auburn University, Auburn 36830

Abstract

A number of systems in which algae, yeasts, bacteria, fungi, insects and earthworms are used for the conversion of animal excreta nitrogen to protein have been reviewed. The technical aspects of the various systems used, the nutritional value of the product produced, and the practicality of the proposed systems for protein production have been discussed.

Currently, none of the systems reviewed contribute greatly to the supply of protein supplements for livestock feeds. However, the algal systems have received the most attention and have produced the most promising results. In the algal systems, the amount of nitrogen converted to protein is as great as or greater than that of any of the other systems; the protein quality, in terms of the amounts that can be used by animals, is high.

The systems in which yeasts, bacteria, and fungi are used all show promise in the conversion of animal excreta nitrogen to protein, but little published data critically evaluating the systems are available. However, the fact that these micro-organisms grow on a variety of materials suggests that animal excreta may be a suitable substrate for protein production.

Houseflies and earthworms grown on animal excreta appear to represent a source of protein suitable for use by livestock and poultry. However, these invertebrates do not convert inorganic forms of nitrogen to protein but, rather, extract protein from excreta and thereby make it more available and acceptable to other animal species. Low protein yields and problems concerned with maintenance of large populations of insects and earthworms for inoculation of excreta limit the practical application of these systems at present.

Footnotes

1 Paper presented as part of the Symposium on Alternatives in Animal Waste Utilization at Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, July 23 to 27, 1977.

2 Feed Energy Conservation Laboratory, Animal Physiology and Genetics Institute, SEA.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1979 by the American Society of Animal Science.