The use of sunflower husks in animal feed

The husk is separated during the preparation of sunflower seeds for oil extraction during the hulling process, the meal is separated during the oil extraction by extraction, and the cake is formed if the oil is obtained by pressing. Due to the high content of protein and vitamins, these sunflower wastes are considered one of the most valuable and relatively cheap feed for farm animals.

Thus, the use of sunflower waste when fattening pigs can effectively increase the productivity of animals and at the same time reduce the consumption of nutrients. When processing sunflower seeds, in addition to cakes and meals, husks are obtained. The husk is a low-nutrient feed product that requires additional processing before feeding. The basis of the husk is fiber, which is represented by cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, cutin, silicic acid, and pectins.

The lipids contained in the husk differ significantly in chemical composition from the fat that is part of the core. In terms of the content of palmitic and stearic acids, the husk exceeds the core, the content of oleic acid in the husk and the core is the same. Other nutrients are contained in low amounts and enclosed in a dense cell membrane impregnated with lignin and waxes, which makes them inaccessible to the action of enzymes. The digestibility of husk nutrients is: crude protein - 18, crude fat - 50, crude fiber - 10, BEV - 17. Basically, husk serves as a source of fiber and can be used by ruminants.

Crude fiber is considered a ballast substance that reduces the nutritional value of feed, but its lack in the diet is unfavorable for ruminants and adversely affects the course of many processes in the body. Fiber creates the necessary volume, physical structure, as well as friability of the feed mass. it ensures the normal functioning of the stomach, intestinal motility, is a source of volatile fatty acids. The digestion of feed carbohydrates in ruminants and the fermentation of fiber occurs under the action of enzymes of rumen microorganisms. They ferment cellulose, starch, oligosaccharides, pectins, change the nature of nitrogenous compounds and synthesize B vitamins.

The husk is added in crushed form to roughage in animal husbandry; added to feed mixtures and animal feed. It is difficult to dispose of the husk. There are other options for using sunflower husks, for example, as a raw material in the production of furfural, fodder yeast and ethyl ALCOHOL; used in horticulture as an organic fertilizer, used to produce biogas.