TITLE:
Nutrient Evaluation of Dining Center Food Waste and Comparison to Monogastric and Ruminant Feedstuffs
AUTHORS:
Nelsa M. Beckman, Phillip A. Lancaster, Haley K. Otott, Rachel N. Kort, Katherine M. Krauss, Melissa A. Schrader, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Charles R. Stark, Chad B. Paulk
KEYWORDS:
Food Waste, Feedstuffs, Monogastric, Ruminant, Nutrient Variability
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.13 No.3,
July
24,
2023
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was
to analyze the nutrient composition and variability of university dining hall food waste and compare it with common feedstuffs used in ruminant and monogastric diets. Food
waste was categorized into two
initial streams: mainstream (MS) from the serving line and vegetable preparation (VP) from the kitchen. Waste was collected from the Kramer
Dining Center, Kansas State University, resulting in 30 daily samples. Waste was weighed and ground to homogenous particle size. Daily samples of MS and VP were
analyzed for nutrient composition, where results were combined to calculate the nutrient profile of a
hypothetical mixed food waste stream (MX) composited by total weight. Data were
analyzed using R statistical software (v 4.2.2). Moisture and neutral detergent
fiber (NDF) were greater in VP (P , while ether extract (EE) was less compared to MS
and MX. Crude protein (CP) was greater (P total digestible
nutrients (TDN) and energy were greater in MS food waste than in MX, which was also greater than VP (P content, measured by standard deviation, was similar (P > 0.05) among streams
for NDF, nitrogen-corrected
neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble crude protein, CP, ash, lignin, and digestible and metabolizable energy.
Dry matter and EE variation were greater (P , whereas VP was less (P P % - 80%
moisture, dining hall food waste does have nutritive value and the potential to
be included in ruminant and monogastric diets. Further research needs to be
done to understand the value of including it in animal diets.