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Preparation of Phytase Feed Pellets by Extrusion-Spheronization
  • Zhengwei Cui
Status: Accepted
Keywords: Extrusion, Spheronization, Pellet, Granulation, Phytase.
Received: 2012-05-23 Accepted: 2013-05-08 Published: 2013-09-10

Journal Subject

Part C

Article Type

Regular Paper (More than 4 pages)

Article Filed

Engineering in Agriculture, Ocean and Light Industry

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop extrusion-spheronization technology for preparation of the phytase pellets in size about 40 meshes as feed additive. The activity of fermented liquid phytase was about 950 U/mL, and it was microfiltrated through a ceramic membrane (0.5m) to remove the cells, and then ultrafiltered to a concentration of liquid phytase of about 12200 U/mL. The concentrated liquid phytase was blended with different constituents of the powder (such as maize starch, maize cob flour and maltodextrin) for preparation of the plastic mass, and then the wet mass were shaped into long rods using a basket extruder. Subsequently, the long rods were dumped onto the spinning plate of spheroniser, where the extrudate was broken up into smaller cylinders with a length equal to their diameter, and those plastic cylinders were rounded due to frictional forces. Finally, the pellets were dried at about 50 oC in a fluidized bed dryer. The composition of supplementary materials was extensively chosen and tested. The particle size distribution, physical quality of pellets and retention of the phytase activity were determined. The results showed that the particle size distribution was narrow, less friable dosage formed and almost no activity lost in the process of extrusion-spheronization. The composition of supplementary materials influenced the concentration of phytase, and the phytase activity in final product reached about 5000 U/g which was sufficient for commercial production by adding stated quantity of maize cob flour or silica powder.

Author
  • Zhengwei Cui
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