With the mass production of genetically modified food and diseases such as bird flu, mad cow disease and e.coli taking their toll these days, people are turning to more ethical products.
Individuals are realising the importance of making a difference to the preservation of our planet through their shopping choices and manufacturers are heeding the eco-friendly consumer.
In South Africa this trend is just taking off. The Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics was launched in February and a host of eco-friendly products are becoming available to us. Here are the ones we like…
Green & Black's Organic Chocolate
The UK luxury chocolate brand has arrived in South Africa. 'Green' represents the brand's organic principles and 'Black' signifies the darker, richer chocolate. Every ingredient has been grown in a biodiverse, sustainable manner, and every final product is certified as such by the UK Soil Association.
What we think: The intense cocoa flavour of the 70 percent dark chocolate version is very decadent and the texture is as smooth as it gets. We’re hooked.
Steaz
Certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), every bottle of Steaz contains one cup of micro-brewed green tea, infused with natural juices such as lime and raspberry. No preservatives and colourants are added, allowing the green tea's health properties to work at their full capacity.
What we think: With its slight fizz and light, juicy flavour, it’s by far the best tasting tea-in-a-bottle (or a can) around.
Dilmah tea
Dilmah is an ethical tea company from Sri Lanka. By cutting out the middleman, all the earnings from the tea stays in Sri Lanka and is shared with the workers and the community. Dilmah tea was awarded by the Medinge Group of Sweden as one of the ‘Top brands with a conscience’.
What we think: Leave it to brew for the required six minutes and you’ll discover a delicate flavour that is missing in most other brands.
Ecoco
Ecoco (Ecological Cosmetic Company) was established about 30 years ago. Cosmetic expert Dicky Poorter pioneered the natural herbal beauty revolution back in the late 1960s when she developed Ecoco’s first range called ‘Fameux’. This range was ahead of its time using natural herbal extracts as active ingredients. Dicky works carefully with her chemists and cosmetologists to create ethical products that are of the highest quality, hypo-allergenic and ecologically friendly.
What we think: The new store in Long Street, Cape Town is an irresistible sensual experience. We love the hibiscus bronzer and the insect repelling sunscreen.
Fundudzi fashion
What separates Fundudzi from other labels is Craig Jacobs' aim to empower other younger designers by giving them a platform to explore their creativity. The label is socially and environmentally responsible, and has introduced Fundudzi: Free — a collection created from organic fabrics including bamboo, soy and corn — which are produced by a local textile mill.
What we think: Full marks for supporting local textiles and consciously making choices that will preserve the environment — especially in an industry as fickle as fashion.
Article by staff reporter Iafrica.com
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Brewers grains, Wet brewers grains, Dried brewers grains, Brewers spent grain, Brewers Dried Yeast
There are several by-products that can be produced in association with the production of beer, such as, brewers grains (wet or dried), brewers dried yeast, etc. These materials are considered to be good sources of un-degradable protein and Water Soluble Vitamins.
They have been used in feeding both ruminant and monogastric animals. Brewer’s grain is the material that is remaining after grains have been fermented during the beer making process. These materials can be fed in the un-dried form (wet brewers grains) or dried (dried brewers grains) and fed.
The nutritional content of the material will vary from plant to plant and depending upon the type of substrate being used (barley, wheat, corn, etc.), proportions being fermented and fermentative process being used. Some plants will dry the brewer’s grain and sell it as dried brewer’s grain, while others will have it available as wet brewer’s grain.
Both types have similar feeding characteristics if the wet brewer’s grain is fed shortly after it is produced. Although the rumen degradability of the protein in the dried brewer’s grain is lower, which is directly related to the amount of heat that it is subjected to during the drying process.
Wet brewer’s grains need to be used in close proximity to the plant producing them, since they contain large amounts of water (75-80%) and transporting can be expensive.
On the other hand the water that it contains maybe very advantageous to livestock producers in areas where water quality and supply are limited.
The wet brewer’s grain are normally fed fresh, but can be ensiled. If ensiled the quality of the resultant silage can be improved by adding a readily fermentable carbohydrate source (molasses, cereal grain, etc.) that will accelerate the fermentation rate, which results in more acids being produced and a more stable silage.
Packing and ensiling characteristics can be improved by blending the wet brewers grains prior to ensiling with other material that are dryer (forage, bran, hulls, etc.). If wet brewer’s grains are ensiled alone then excessive runoff may occur, so it is best to ensile it in a silo with proper drainage.
If fed as wet brewers grains care needs to be taken to assure that it does not deteriorate prior to being fed. Since the wet brewer’s grain is an excellent media for microbial growth and has been shown to support the growth of yeast and mold (I)(CAB 981402191)(Wyss, 1997);(M)(CAB 961201877)(Wadhwa, 1995), it is best to feed the material as soon as possible after receiving it.
It is best to not store the material much longer than a week to 10 days prior to feeding it; this is especially true in hot or warm areas. Research’s found that wet brewer’s grain could be stored for 10 days in Spring, 5 days in Summer and 30 days in Winter (L)(CAB 971407904)(Kim-HyeonShup, 1996).
If storing for longer periods of time the material should be ensiled. Under hot and humid conditions it might not be possible to store the material for a week. Storing in a shaded or cool place will length the time that the wet brewer’s grains can be stored. Covering the surface with plastic or some other covering material will minimize surface spoilage and length the time that the material can be stored.
Various methods to preserve wet brewer’s grain have been evaluated (D)(CAB 761443153)(Allen, 1975). Feed consumption will be reduced if spoiled brewer’s grain is fed. Feed mixtures containing brewer’s grain will spoil quite rapidly, so any excess feed that animals have not consumed should be removed and discarded. The palatability of wet brewer’s grain will decline with increasing storage time Brewer’s dried grain usage are limited in monogastric application, because of its high fiber (24 % ADF) content, so it is not normally used in intensive feeding systems.
The crude protein content (27-30 %) is relatively high and is less ruminally degradable than other plant derived sources, so it is often used in feeding dairy cattle and beef cattle that require additional ruminally escape protein. Lysine is normally the most limiting amino acid and it is a good source of Water Soluble Vitamins. Dried brewers yeast was found to be able to replace fish meal up to 9.26% in diets for broilers with no differences in growth and feed efficiency observed (2A)(AGRIS 89-093110)(Erguel, 1988). Brewers yeast was found to performance similarly when replacing brewers grains in rations for lactating dairy cattle (1A)(AGRIS 95-117463)(West, 1994).
Source:
Residual material that is remaining after grains has been fermented to produce beer.
Processing:
Grinding and screening of brewer’s grain has been shown to fractionate its nutrient components, with the fine material being higher in CP (39 %) and the courser being lower (21.5 %) and higher in fiber. Fluctuating the processing temperature from 80 to 200oC didn’t change the CP content, but nitrogen content of Acid Detergent Fiber (indigestible form) increased as temperature increased (19)(AGRIS 82-726890)(Deltoro, 1981);(F)(CAB 20001408525)(Pereira, 1999).
Feeding Experiments:
Brewer’s grain can be used in feeding applications with ruminant and monogastric animals. Use in feeding monogastric animals is somewhat limited by its high fiber content and low digestibility of the CP fraction. It is quite palatable and is ready consumed by animals.
In feeding ruminant animals brewer’s grain was found to be a satisfactory replacement for corn gluten meal in rations for growing heifers (4)(AGRIS 92-096824)(Lopez-Guisa, 1991). Feeding up to 30 % of the dry matter as wet brewer’s grain was not found to reduce milk production in dairy cattle (6)(AGRIS 95-117463)(West, 1994).
Brewer’s grain silage was found to be a satisfactory replacement for corn silage in rations for lactating dairy cattle (K)(CAB 981402194)(Munger, 1997). No difference in performance was observed when dried, re-wetted or we brewer’s grain was fed to lactating dairy cattle (C)(CAB 770434874)(Porter, 1977). Satisfactory performance was observed in dairy cattle when brewer’s grain was ensiled (11)(AGRIS 97-064860)(Muenger, 1997).
No depression in performance was observed when wet or dried brewer’s grain replace soybean meal in lactating dairy cattle (3)(AGRIS 89-074380)(Hoffman, 1988). Lysine was determined to be the limiting amino acid in brewer’s grains for application with dairy cattle, so it needs to be blended with other supplemental protein sources that have higher lysine content. The fiber in brewer’s grain was found to be a satisfactory replace for a portion of the forage in rations for lactating dairy cattle (7)(AGRIS 1999-043534)(Younker, 1998). Similar performance in growing beef animals have been observed (12)(AGRIS 97-064831)(Morel, 1997).
Lambs were found to perform as a similar level when brewer’s grain accounted for up to 50 % of the concentrate being fed (2)(AGRIS 89-133992)(Baghdassar, 1986). When ensiled brewer’s grain is fed acidosis can be a problem (J)(CAB 981402193)(Morel, 1997).
In monogastric animal’s brewer’s grain were shown to be viable CP sources, especially where soybean and fish meals were unavailable. Similar performance was observed between dried and wet brewer’s grain in fattening chicken (A)(CAB 731411783)(Wegner, 1973).
Dried brewers grains were included at 2 to 5 % of the diet dry matter without depressing gain or feed conversion in broilers (13)(1987). Diets with up to 10 % brewer’s grains didn’t depress egg production (14)(AGRIS 87-118595)(Yeong, 1986);(E)(CAB 761451089)(Jensen, 1976).
In broilers inclusion rates up to 20 % of brewer’s grains didn’t depress gains or feed conversion during early growth (0 to 4, 4 to 8 weeks) and up to 30 % was not observed to decrease performance in broilers (8 to 12 weeks) (17)(AGRIS 82-758989)(Deltoro-Lopez, 1981).
Other researchers have reported that up to 10 % dried brewer’s can be fed to young poultry (0-8 weeks) and up to 30 % in older birds (8 to 18 weeks) didn’t effect growth (B)(CAB 731413717)(Ademosun, 1973). In layers, feeding brewer’s grain up to 30 % of diets dry matter had no effect, but higher levels depressed performance (18)(AGRIS 82-758988)(Deltoro-Lopez, 1981).
Brewer’s grains was found to be a satisfactory source of protein in finishing swine rations (16)(AGRIS 85-113680)(Chalermchai-Sriratanasak, 1984);(G)(CAB 931460128)(Aletor, 1990).
Research By Gerald Crawford - http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Crawford
If you have any questions or comments please call us on tel +27-021-556-3444 or fax us at +27-021-556-3445 or e-mail us on info@pssoils.co.za.
You could also contact us with snail mail at: PO Box 36534, Chempet, 7442, South Africa.
They have been used in feeding both ruminant and monogastric animals. Brewer’s grain is the material that is remaining after grains have been fermented during the beer making process. These materials can be fed in the un-dried form (wet brewers grains) or dried (dried brewers grains) and fed.
The nutritional content of the material will vary from plant to plant and depending upon the type of substrate being used (barley, wheat, corn, etc.), proportions being fermented and fermentative process being used. Some plants will dry the brewer’s grain and sell it as dried brewer’s grain, while others will have it available as wet brewer’s grain.
Both types have similar feeding characteristics if the wet brewer’s grain is fed shortly after it is produced. Although the rumen degradability of the protein in the dried brewer’s grain is lower, which is directly related to the amount of heat that it is subjected to during the drying process.
Wet brewer’s grains need to be used in close proximity to the plant producing them, since they contain large amounts of water (75-80%) and transporting can be expensive.
On the other hand the water that it contains maybe very advantageous to livestock producers in areas where water quality and supply are limited.
The wet brewer’s grain are normally fed fresh, but can be ensiled. If ensiled the quality of the resultant silage can be improved by adding a readily fermentable carbohydrate source (molasses, cereal grain, etc.) that will accelerate the fermentation rate, which results in more acids being produced and a more stable silage.
Packing and ensiling characteristics can be improved by blending the wet brewers grains prior to ensiling with other material that are dryer (forage, bran, hulls, etc.). If wet brewer’s grains are ensiled alone then excessive runoff may occur, so it is best to ensile it in a silo with proper drainage.
If fed as wet brewers grains care needs to be taken to assure that it does not deteriorate prior to being fed. Since the wet brewer’s grain is an excellent media for microbial growth and has been shown to support the growth of yeast and mold (I)(CAB 981402191)(Wyss, 1997);(M)(CAB 961201877)(Wadhwa, 1995), it is best to feed the material as soon as possible after receiving it.
It is best to not store the material much longer than a week to 10 days prior to feeding it; this is especially true in hot or warm areas. Research’s found that wet brewer’s grain could be stored for 10 days in Spring, 5 days in Summer and 30 days in Winter (L)(CAB 971407904)(Kim-HyeonShup, 1996).
If storing for longer periods of time the material should be ensiled. Under hot and humid conditions it might not be possible to store the material for a week. Storing in a shaded or cool place will length the time that the wet brewer’s grains can be stored. Covering the surface with plastic or some other covering material will minimize surface spoilage and length the time that the material can be stored.
Various methods to preserve wet brewer’s grain have been evaluated (D)(CAB 761443153)(Allen, 1975). Feed consumption will be reduced if spoiled brewer’s grain is fed. Feed mixtures containing brewer’s grain will spoil quite rapidly, so any excess feed that animals have not consumed should be removed and discarded. The palatability of wet brewer’s grain will decline with increasing storage time Brewer’s dried grain usage are limited in monogastric application, because of its high fiber (24 % ADF) content, so it is not normally used in intensive feeding systems.
The crude protein content (27-30 %) is relatively high and is less ruminally degradable than other plant derived sources, so it is often used in feeding dairy cattle and beef cattle that require additional ruminally escape protein. Lysine is normally the most limiting amino acid and it is a good source of Water Soluble Vitamins. Dried brewers yeast was found to be able to replace fish meal up to 9.26% in diets for broilers with no differences in growth and feed efficiency observed (2A)(AGRIS 89-093110)(Erguel, 1988). Brewers yeast was found to performance similarly when replacing brewers grains in rations for lactating dairy cattle (1A)(AGRIS 95-117463)(West, 1994).
Source:
Residual material that is remaining after grains has been fermented to produce beer.
Processing:
Grinding and screening of brewer’s grain has been shown to fractionate its nutrient components, with the fine material being higher in CP (39 %) and the courser being lower (21.5 %) and higher in fiber. Fluctuating the processing temperature from 80 to 200oC didn’t change the CP content, but nitrogen content of Acid Detergent Fiber (indigestible form) increased as temperature increased (19)(AGRIS 82-726890)(Deltoro, 1981);(F)(CAB 20001408525)(Pereira, 1999).
Feeding Experiments:
Brewer’s grain can be used in feeding applications with ruminant and monogastric animals. Use in feeding monogastric animals is somewhat limited by its high fiber content and low digestibility of the CP fraction. It is quite palatable and is ready consumed by animals.
In feeding ruminant animals brewer’s grain was found to be a satisfactory replacement for corn gluten meal in rations for growing heifers (4)(AGRIS 92-096824)(Lopez-Guisa, 1991). Feeding up to 30 % of the dry matter as wet brewer’s grain was not found to reduce milk production in dairy cattle (6)(AGRIS 95-117463)(West, 1994).
Brewer’s grain silage was found to be a satisfactory replacement for corn silage in rations for lactating dairy cattle (K)(CAB 981402194)(Munger, 1997). No difference in performance was observed when dried, re-wetted or we brewer’s grain was fed to lactating dairy cattle (C)(CAB 770434874)(Porter, 1977). Satisfactory performance was observed in dairy cattle when brewer’s grain was ensiled (11)(AGRIS 97-064860)(Muenger, 1997).
No depression in performance was observed when wet or dried brewer’s grain replace soybean meal in lactating dairy cattle (3)(AGRIS 89-074380)(Hoffman, 1988). Lysine was determined to be the limiting amino acid in brewer’s grains for application with dairy cattle, so it needs to be blended with other supplemental protein sources that have higher lysine content. The fiber in brewer’s grain was found to be a satisfactory replace for a portion of the forage in rations for lactating dairy cattle (7)(AGRIS 1999-043534)(Younker, 1998). Similar performance in growing beef animals have been observed (12)(AGRIS 97-064831)(Morel, 1997).
Lambs were found to perform as a similar level when brewer’s grain accounted for up to 50 % of the concentrate being fed (2)(AGRIS 89-133992)(Baghdassar, 1986). When ensiled brewer’s grain is fed acidosis can be a problem (J)(CAB 981402193)(Morel, 1997).
In monogastric animal’s brewer’s grain were shown to be viable CP sources, especially where soybean and fish meals were unavailable. Similar performance was observed between dried and wet brewer’s grain in fattening chicken (A)(CAB 731411783)(Wegner, 1973).
Dried brewers grains were included at 2 to 5 % of the diet dry matter without depressing gain or feed conversion in broilers (13)(1987). Diets with up to 10 % brewer’s grains didn’t depress egg production (14)(AGRIS 87-118595)(Yeong, 1986);(E)(CAB 761451089)(Jensen, 1976).
In broilers inclusion rates up to 20 % of brewer’s grains didn’t depress gains or feed conversion during early growth (0 to 4, 4 to 8 weeks) and up to 30 % was not observed to decrease performance in broilers (8 to 12 weeks) (17)(AGRIS 82-758989)(Deltoro-Lopez, 1981).
Other researchers have reported that up to 10 % dried brewer’s can be fed to young poultry (0-8 weeks) and up to 30 % in older birds (8 to 18 weeks) didn’t effect growth (B)(CAB 731413717)(Ademosun, 1973). In layers, feeding brewer’s grain up to 30 % of diets dry matter had no effect, but higher levels depressed performance (18)(AGRIS 82-758988)(Deltoro-Lopez, 1981).
Brewer’s grains was found to be a satisfactory source of protein in finishing swine rations (16)(AGRIS 85-113680)(Chalermchai-Sriratanasak, 1984);(G)(CAB 931460128)(Aletor, 1990).
Research By Gerald Crawford - http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Crawford
If you have any questions or comments please call us on tel +27-021-556-3444 or fax us at +27-021-556-3445 or e-mail us on info@pssoils.co.za.
You could also contact us with snail mail at: PO Box 36534, Chempet, 7442, South Africa.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Low density and relatively low price of Perlite.
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently.
Properties and uses:
When it reaches temperatures of 850–900 °C, perlite softens (since it is a glass). Water trapped in the structure of the material escapes and vapourises and this causes the expansion of the material to 7–16 times its original volume. The expanded material is a brilliant white, due to the reflectivity of the trapped bubbles.
Unexpanded ("raw") perlite bulk density: around 1100 kg/m³ (1.1 g/cm³).
Typical expanded perlite bulk density: 30–150 kg/m³
Due to its low density and relatively low price, many commercial applications for perlite have developed. In the construction and manufacturing fields, it is used in lightweight plasters and mortars, insulation, ceiling tiles and filter aids.
In horticulture it makes composts more open to air, while still having good water-retention properties; it makes a good medium for hydroponics. Perlite is also used in foundries, cryogenic insulations, as a lightweight aggregate in mortar (firestop) and in ceramics as a clay additive.
Typical analysis of perlite:
70-75% silicon dioxide:12-15% aluminium oxide:3-4% sodium oxide:3-5% potassium oxide:0.5-2% iron oxide:0.2-0.7% magnesium oxide:0.5-1.5% calcium oxide:3-5% loss on ignition (chemical / combined water)
Research By Gerald Crawford - http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Crawford
If you have any questions or comments please call us on tel +27-021-556-3444 or fax us at +27-021-556-3445 or e-mail us on info@pssoils.co.za.You could also contact us with snail mail at: PO Box 36534, Chempet, 7442, South Africa.
Properties and uses:
When it reaches temperatures of 850–900 °C, perlite softens (since it is a glass). Water trapped in the structure of the material escapes and vapourises and this causes the expansion of the material to 7–16 times its original volume. The expanded material is a brilliant white, due to the reflectivity of the trapped bubbles.
Unexpanded ("raw") perlite bulk density: around 1100 kg/m³ (1.1 g/cm³).
Typical expanded perlite bulk density: 30–150 kg/m³
Due to its low density and relatively low price, many commercial applications for perlite have developed. In the construction and manufacturing fields, it is used in lightweight plasters and mortars, insulation, ceiling tiles and filter aids.
In horticulture it makes composts more open to air, while still having good water-retention properties; it makes a good medium for hydroponics. Perlite is also used in foundries, cryogenic insulations, as a lightweight aggregate in mortar (firestop) and in ceramics as a clay additive.
Typical analysis of perlite:
70-75% silicon dioxide:12-15% aluminium oxide:3-4% sodium oxide:3-5% potassium oxide:0.5-2% iron oxide:0.2-0.7% magnesium oxide:0.5-1.5% calcium oxide:3-5% loss on ignition (chemical / combined water)
Research By Gerald Crawford - http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Crawford
If you have any questions or comments please call us on tel +27-021-556-3444 or fax us at +27-021-556-3445 or e-mail us on info@pssoils.co.za.You could also contact us with snail mail at: PO Box 36534, Chempet, 7442, South Africa.
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About PSS Oils Cape Town South Africa
- PSS Oils
- Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
- PSS Oils: PSS Oils was established in 1996. Our core business is the collection of used oils and margarines nation wide, the refining of these oils to high quality standards and the specialist blending of oils to meet our client's specific requirements for use in the animals feeds industry. Our oil is high in unsaturated fats, thus benefiting the animals nutritionally. All refined and blended oils meet the specifications of the Animal Feeds Act 54 of 1947. Ecofriendly: Eco Friendly Products (Pty) Ltd specializes in the development of innovative and patented processes and technologies to create quality recycled products such as: Corn Steep Liquor (CSL), Spent Grain (SG), Natural Wax, Perlite / Diatomaceous Earth - We are committed to developing innovative processes and technologies that meet the highest environmental standards. Registered in 2003. tel +27-021-556-3444 fax +27-021-556-3445