Title : A new direction in the use of wheat in agricultural processing
Abstract:
Wheat is a valuable ingredient in many food products, and wheat harvest surpluses can be used to create new solutions for the agricultural industry. Due to the fact that the amino acid profile of cereals is not fully valuable for animal feeding, the most common way to improve the biological value of feed derived from cereals is to add soybean meal. However, in Poland soybean cultivation is not popular due to the climate conditions. An alternative type of legume successfully grown in Poland due to climatic and soil requirements is pea, of which there are over 20 varieties registered in Poland. Thanks to alternating crops, in close proximity, there are harvests of both wheat grain and pea seeds. Peas are a rich source of protein with a different amino acid profile than gluten – the main wheat protein. A small addition of peas is enough to improve the biological value of wheat-based feed products. The aim of the work was to use wheat in agricultural processing to feed animals. As a result of simultaneous processing, a valuable nutritional base for feeding animals can be obtained. The developed biotechnological process allows for the production of two valuable feed products from wheat grain with the addition of peas i.e. liquid feed and solid feed. Wheat refinement consists of moisturizing, crushing, and mixing raw materials in optimal proportions. This mixture is then subjected to enzymatic action in a water environment. The soluble components are extracted from the insoluble ones, and finally the liquid components are separated from the solid ones. The liquid fraction, possibly supplemented with rapeseed oil, creates a formula for a milk substitute preparation. The preparation can be pasteurized and packed in 25-50 l canisters or 1000 l pallet containers. The remaining wet mass is intended for feeding directly or after preservation through ensiling or drying. The ideal, rational technological system would select a processing capacity that allows for the immediate feeding of all produced feed products, minimizing the need for energy-intensive preservation methods. Therefore, locating production at a cow farm or similar location is advantageous.
