Nutritional value of gamma-irradiation waste of broiler processing plants and hatchery by-products

Recycling of animal protein by-products is very useful since they are rich in essential amino acids and some unidentified factors which stimulate growth, increase egg production and hatch ability, reduce liver fat, and improve product quality. Certain problems, however, arise due to the use of recycled animal protein by-products in poultry and other animals diets. They are loaded with pathogens particularly salmonella. This would result in serious problems for animal health and feed industry. The present study investigates the effect of radiation processing of broiler by-product meal (BBPM) and hatchery by-product (HBPM) on their nutritional value. Particular emphasis has been given on the available lysine and T PE. BBPM and HBPM samples were obtained from the United poultry company at Cairo city and subjected to gamma rays from cobalt-60 at dose levels of 5, 10, 25, and 50 kGy. Radiation induced an insignificant effect on the chemical composition of meals. Radiation treatment at dose level of 5 kGy showed no loss in available lysine for BBPM and HBPM. However, at dose levels of 10, 25, and 50 kGy it was reduced by 5.46%, 9.66% and 18.49% for BBPM and 20.2%, 22.02% and 24.91% for HBPM. Irradiation has no significant effect on the T PE of HBPM. While, radiation processing improved the T PE of BBPM at all dose levels applied. The use of radurization up to 50 kGy as a means of improving the microbiological quality of the meals thereby eliminate the risk of feed-borne disease. This method of processing has the potential to greatly enhance the T PE of BBPM with little effect on its contents of available lysine. 7 tab