INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR CONVERTING FOOD WASTE INTO NUTRITIONAL FEED FOR CATTLE

Abstract

The invention describes an innovative method for converting food waste into high-quality nutritional feed for cattle, addressing food waste management and sustainable livestock feeding. The process involves collecting and sorting food waste, followed by mechanical and chemical pre-treatment to enhance digestibility. This is followed by anaerobic fermentation using beneficial microorganisms to enrich the nutritional profile. The mixture is then dried and processed into pellets or powder, ensuring safety and nutritional adequacy through rigorous quality control measures. This method not only offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional feed sources but also significantly reduces environmental impact by minimizing food waste and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Specification

Description:The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner it
is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The technical field of this invention encompasses agricultural engineering and environmental science, specifically focusing on sustainable livestock feeding practices. It involves the transformation of food waste into nutritional cattle feed through processes like sorting, pre-treatment, fermentation, and quality control. This innovation aims to address food waste management, enhance resource efficiency, and improve the nutritional quality of livestock feed while promoting environmental sustainability.
BACKGROUND
[002] Approximately one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, leading to significant environmental issues such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and inefficient resource utilization. This invention seeks to mitigate these challenges by converting food waste into high-quality nutritional feed for cattle, thus promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
[003] Traditional livestock feed sources, such as grains and forages, are often resource-intensive and costly to produce. By utilizing food waste, this method offers a cost-effective alternative, helping farmers reduce feeding expenses and improve economic viability, especially in regions where conventional feed sources are scarce.
[004] Nutritional deficiencies in conventional cattle feed can lead to health problems and reduced productivity in livestock. The proposed method enhances the nutritional profile of cattle feed through fermentation, increasing essential nutrients and beneficial microbial populations, which support better animal health.
[005] The environmental impact of livestock farming is significant, particularly regarding methane emissions. By reducing reliance on traditional feed sources and leveraging food waste, this innovation lowers the carbon footprint associated with livestock production, contributing to climate change mitigation.
[006] US11353621B2, explore methods for carbon dioxide sequestration but do not address food waste conversion for animal feed. This highlights a gap in research and development focused on sustainable agricultural practices that utilize waste materials.
[007] US11445669B2, discusses the use of photosynthetic biomass for various applications, but lacks a direct connection to food waste utilization in livestock feeding. This indicates an opportunity for innovation in transforming food waste into a valuable resource for animal agriculture.
[008] The proposed method is designed to comply with safety and quality standards for animal feed, addressing the need for rigorous testing protocols to ensure the absence of harmful pathogens and contaminants. This is crucial for gaining acceptance in the livestock industry and ensuring animal welfare.
[009] With the increasing global population and rising demand for food, efficient resource management in agriculture is critical. By transforming food waste into nutritional cattle feed, this invention promotes a circular economy and supports global efforts to enhance food security while addressing pressing environmental concerns.
SUMMARY
[010] The invention provides an innovative method to convert food waste into high-quality nutritional feed for cattle, effectively addressing food waste management and sustainable livestock feeding practices.
[011] It begins with the collection and sorting of food waste from various sources, ensuring the removal of contaminants and non-biodegradable materials to ensure safety for animal consumption.
[012] The method includes pre-treatment and anaerobic fermentation processes that enhance the digestibility and nutritional value of the feed, increasing levels of protein and beneficial microorganisms.
[013] Rigorous quality control measures are implemented to ensure the final product meets dietary requirements for cattle and is free from harmful pathogens and toxins.
[014] This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional feed sources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes a circular economy by transforming waste into a valuable resource, thereby enhancing both agricultural sustainability and productivity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating of the present subject matter, an example of the construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures; however, the invention is not limited to the specific method disclosed in the document and the figures.
[016] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to various features of the present subject matter.
[017] Figure 1 provides the working prototype of the invention.
[018] The given figures depict an embodiment of the present disclosure for illustration and better understanding only.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[019] Some of the embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[020] The invention begins with the collection of food waste from diverse sources, including restaurants, grocery stores, and food processing facilities. This waste is then sorted to remove non-biodegradable items, contaminants, and spoiled food, ensuring that only safe and suitable materials are used for cattle feed production.
[021] After sorting, the food waste undergoes a pre-treatment process that includes mechanical processing, such as grinding or shredding, to reduce particle size. This increases the surface area for subsequent treatments, enhancing the effectiveness of nutrient extraction and microbial fermentation.
[022] The pre-treated waste may also be subjected to chemical treatments, such as the application of acids or enzymes, which break down complex carbohydrates. This step improves digestibility and nutrient availability, preparing the waste for effective fermentation.
[023] In one embodiment it is provided that, the next phase involves anaerobic fermentation, where specific strains of beneficial microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria and yeast, are introduced to the pre-treated food waste. This fermentation process enhances the feed's nutritional profile by increasing protein levels and producing organic acids that improve palatability.
[024] The fermentation process typically lasts between 24 to 72 hours, depending on the specific strains used and the desired nutritional outcomes. During this time, the microorganisms break down the food waste further, enriching it with essential nutrients and beneficial metabolites.
[025] Following fermentation, the mixture is dried to reduce moisture content and prevent spoilage during storage. Various drying methods can be employed, such as hot air drying, freeze drying, or vacuum drying, each chosen based on efficiency and desired feed characteristics.
[026] In one embodiment it is provided, that Following fermentation, the mixture is dried to reduce moisture content and prevent spoilage during storage. Various drying methods can be employed, such as hot air drying, freeze drying, or vacuum drying, each chosen based on efficiency and desired feed characteristics.
[027] Throughout the production process, rigorous quality control measures are implemented. This includes nutritional analysis to determine the composition of the final product, ensuring that it meets the dietary requirements for different classes of cattle, such as dairy or beef cattle.
[028] Safety testing is also a critical component, where the feed is evaluated for harmful pathogens, toxins, and contaminants to ensure it is safe for animal consumption. This step is essential for gaining acceptance within the livestock industry and ensuring animal welfare.
[029] In one embodiment it is provided, that Results from the application of this method indicate a significant production of high-quality feed that is nutritionally rich, showing improvements in essential amino acids and beneficial microbial populations compared to traditional feed sources.
[030] The advantages of this invention extend beyond economic benefits for farmers, as it significantly reduces the volume of food waste directed to landfills, contributing to better waste management practices and lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with decomposition.
[031] This innovative method fosters sustainable agricultural practices by promoting the utilization of food waste as a valuable resource, enhancing food security, and encouraging further research and development in waste-to-feed technologies within the agricultural sector.
[032] Referring to figure 1, depicts a comprehensive flowchart illustrating the process of converting food waste into nutritional cattle feed. It begins with the collection of food waste from various sources, including restaurants and grocery stores, followed by a sorting stage to eliminate non-biodegradable materials and contaminants. The sorted waste undergoes pre-treatment, where it is mechanically processed and treated with acids or enzymes to enhance digestibility. Next, the pre-treated waste is subjected to anaerobic fermentation, during which beneficial microorganisms are introduced to enrich the nutritional content. After fermentation, the mixture is dried to reduce moisture and prevent spoilage, and subsequently processed into pellets or powder for easier handling. The flowchart emphasizes the importance of rigorous quality control throughout the process, ensuring safety and nutritional adequacy. It culminates in the final product, which not only provides a cost-effective alternative for farmers but also contributes to sustainable waste management and environmental benefits by reducing food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
, Claims:1. An innovative method for converting food waste into nutritional feed for cattle, comprising:
A. collecting and sorting food waste from various sources to remove non-biodegradable materials and contaminants;
B. pre-treating the sorted food waste through mechanical processing and chemical treatment to enhance digestibility;
C. subjecting the pre-treated food waste to anaerobic fermentation using specific strains of beneficial microorganisms to enrich the nutritional profile;
D. drying the fermented mixture to reduce moisture content and processing it into a suitable form for animal feed;
E. implementing quality control measures to ensure the safety and nutritional adequacy of the final feed product.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the food waste is collected from at least one of the following sources: restaurants, grocery stores, food processing facilities, or farms.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sorting process utilizes automated systems in conjunction with manual sorting to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mechanical processing includes grinding or shredding the food waste to a particle size of less than 5 mm.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical treatment includes the application of enzymes selected from the group consisting of cellulases, amylases, and proteases.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the anaerobic fermentation is conducted for a duration of 48 to 72 hours to optimize nutrient enrichment.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the drying process employs a vacuum drying method to preserve the nutritional quality of the feed.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the quality control measures include nutritional analysis and safety testing for harmful pathogens and toxins prior to packaging the final feed product.

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