Biogas production: litter from broilers receiving direct-fed microbials and an enzyme blend

ABSTRACT

The effect of additives used in the feed of broilers on anaerobic bio-digestion of poultry litter was evaluated. Four diets were used NC negative control; DFM NC + 500 ppm direct-fed microbials (DFM) containing Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis; ENZ diet formulated with an enzyme blend (20 ppm phytase, 200 ppm protease and 200 ppm xylanase); DFM+E ENZ + DFM. Substrates for the anaerobic bio-digestion were prepared with litter from each treatment, containing 4 % total solids (TS). These were used in 16 continuous bio-digesters with a 2 kg d1 load, to determine the production and potential biogas production and composition during an 85-day period. Influent and effluent samples were collected for the amounts of TS and volatile solids (VS), fiber fraction (neutral detergent fiber [NDF], acid detergent fiber [ADF] and lignin), nutrients (N, P and K), and total and thermotolerant coliforms to be determined. For all treatments a reduction in the following effluents was observed as follows TS (49, 48, 48 and 50 %) VS (70, 54, 55 and 62 %) NDF (91, 90, 95 and 96 %) ADF (89, 88, 93 and 94 %) and lignin (80, 76, 89 and 88 %). The efficiency of the treatment for coliforms in bio-digesters was higher than 90 % in the 85-day period in all treatment groups. There was a reduction in biogas and methane production when DFM (5500 and 4000 mL) and DFM + E (5800 and 4100 mL) were used, compared to treatments NC (6300 mL and 4400) and ENZ (6400 and 4500 mL). The potential production of reduced TS and VS was higher in ENZ (100 and 1.74 106 mL kg1) when compared to NC (0.88 and 102 106 mL kg1), DFM (0.80 and 140 106 mL kg1) and DFM + E (0.88 125 and 106 mL kg1). The additives did not affect the percentage of methane production, and all treatments showed values higher than 70 %. Adding enzymes to the diet of broilers influences the litter characteristics and, as a consequence, increases biogas production. The addition of DFM and DFM + E to broiler diets reduced biogas and methane production.