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Environmental Assessment of Amylase Used as Digestibility Improvement Factor for Intensive Chicken Production in Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Britta Gernaey

    (Novozymes A/S, 2880 Bagsværd, Denmark)

  • José Otávio B. Sorbara

    (DSM Nutritional Products A/S, 4302 Kaiseraugst, Switzerland)

  • Per H. Nielsen

    (Novozymes A/S, 2880 Bagsværd, Denmark)

Abstract

Industrial enzymes can be used to improve the digestibility of livestock feed components, thereby increasing the nutritional value of the feed, and allowing farmers to change and cost-optimize the feed composition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental impacts of adding a starch-degrading enzyme (amylase) to feed for Brazilian chicken production. A lifecycle assessment covering all significant processes in the value chain as well as all significant impact categories was used as analytical tool. The application of amylase increases the energy value of corn in chicken feed and allows saving of costly fat in the feed. In Brazil, the saved fat is used either for biodiesel production or as a replacement for other fats in cleaning and hygiene products. The study showed that approximately 6% of greenhouse-gas emission from Brazilian chicken production could be avoided using the amylase. Using the amylase increases the contribution to nutrient enrichment by 0.6% when the excess fat is used for biodiesel. The use of amylase has little impact on agricultural land use, water consumption and acidification.

Suggested Citation

  • Britta Gernaey & José Otávio B. Sorbara & Per H. Nielsen, 2018. "Environmental Assessment of Amylase Used as Digestibility Improvement Factor for Intensive Chicken Production in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:8:p:2735-:d:161713
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