Keles Regina Antony Inoue

Potential of production of biogas from the castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) cake

The study of the potential for biogas production, for a particular residue, is very important, especially for the design of digesters and it has been doing for a long time. However, there are few studies related to the anaerobic digestion of the castor bean cake (CBC). Then, the aim of this study was to determine the potential of biogas production from the digestion of the CBC, with and without addition of animal wastes. The experiment was carried out at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Vicosa. There were used nine bench digesters operating in batch way, containing 2 L of substrate. The three treatments were: CBC and water (A), CBC added with cow manure and water (B) and CBC added with swine manure and water (C). All treatments started at 9 dag kg -1 of Total Solids (TS) and three replications. The amount of manure applied corresponded to 15%, by weight, of the substrate TS. The experiment was finished after 56 days of digestion and it were carried out the TS analysis in three biofertilizers obtained. The treatment B showed the greatest potential to produce biogas, which were: 1.01 L L -1 of substrate, 3.18 L kg -1 TSreduced and 11.90 L kg -1 of CBC; in the treatment A it were: 0.55 L L -1 of substrate, 3.11 L kg -1 TSreduced, 5.50 L kg -1 of CBC; and in the treatment C it were: 0.50 L L -1 of substrate, 1.54 L kg -1 of TSreduced 5.91 L kg -1 of CBC. It was concluded that adding cow manure to castor bean cake in the process of digestion, result an increase in the biogas production potential and that this can be considered on the design of digesters.

QUALIDADE DO AMBIENTE AÉREO NA CRIAÇÃO INICIAL DE CODORNAS DE CORTE EM FUNÇÃO DE DIFERENTES TEMPERATURAS - DOI: 10.13083/1414-3984.v22n02a01

National and international markets require actions seeking environmental preservation, including data on the concentration of harmful gases generated by the activity of animal production. This subject is important for the conditions of Brazil, due to lack of information, which is why the objective of this study was to verify to what extent the levels of CO2 and NH3 present in installations may impair the quality of life of quails during the initial production cycle (1 to 21 days of age). The study was conducted in five climatic cameras located in the experimental area from the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Vicosa. A total of 900 quail were housed in growth chambers, subjected to treatments with five different temperatures. The treatments were randomly distributed, as follows: Severe Cold, Cold Moderate, Recommended Comfort, Moderate Heat and Severe Heat. The animals were randomly assigned to each treatment, consisting of 30 birds each. Non levels of NH3 were observed during the experimental period. Carbon dioxide concentrations were within acceptable limits for the proper development of quail.

NOTA TÉCNICA: PRODUÇÃO DE BIOGÁS E BIOFERTILIZANTE A PARTIR DA BIODIGESTÃO DA TORTA DE MAMONA COM ADIÇÃO DEJETOS DE ANIMAIS

The objective of this research was to quantify the production of biogas, characterize the biofertilizer, resulting from anaerobic digestion of castor bean cake, with and without manure. Bench digesters were operated in batch, containing 2 L of substrate. The three treatments were: castor bean cake with addition of bovine manure and water (T2), castor bean cake with the addition of swine manure and water (T3), with 9 dag kg-1 and ST with three replications. The amount of slurry applied corresponded to 15% of weight of ST substrate. The highest biogas production was observed in T2 (2.03 L), being similar in T1 and T3 (P> 0.05). The biofertilizer T1 showed the highest concentration of Nitrogen (6.13 g L-1). The phosphorus content was greater in T3 (867.80 mg L-1) and pH values, potassium and sodium were similar for all three treatments. The potential of biogas production were higher in T2. It was concluded that the castor bean is a good substrate for the production of biogas and biofertilizer with satisfactory chemical qualities, being observed increase production of this gas when associated with cattle manure.

Effect of Chemical Conditioners on the Quality of the Poultry Litter

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of the coffee huskss poultry litter, treated with chemical conditioners. Such evaluation was based on its humidity, N-ammonia, pH and bacteria total counting. The experiment was carried out in a commercial industry, located in Canaa city, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, being this region a significant coffee producer one. It were used three facilities, in which it were placed circular boxes, each of them divided in seven parts, 2 m2 each one, that corresponded to the seven treatments: coffee husks litter, new and untreated; coffee husks litter, new and treated with superphosphate (30 kg t-1); coffee husks litter, new and treated with agricultural gypsum at 40% of the total weight; coffee husks litter, new and treated with lime (0.5 kg m-2); coffee husks litter, reused (2 lots); and sawdust litter. Twenty two chicks were distributed in each treatment, totaling 154 birds per facility, in a density of 11 birds m-2. The samples were collected from the different types of litter at 7, 21 and 42 days of birds age, in order to assess the moisture content, pH, ammonia-N and the standard counting of bacteria. The hydrated lime provided an increase of pH in the initial phase of the production cycle (7 days), as well as a decreasing in the moisture of the reused litter, compared to the new one. The gypsum reduced the pH of the litter at the end of the second phase of the production cycle. The N-ammonia content of the reused litter, without treatment, was superior compared to the new one, untreated and treated with lime. There was no effect of chemical conditioners on the standard counting of bacteria, as well as on the surface temperature of the litter.

Chemical and microbiological characterization of quail wastes

Abstract: For many years in the scenario of the Brazilian poultry production, the quail breeding was considered an alternative activity and just for small farmers. However, because of its potential for the production of eggs and meat, the commercial use of the quails has grown significantly and consequently the amount of waste produced. Such residues may be used as bio-fertilizers, directly as organic fertilizer or converted into compost or even in alternative energy through anaerobic digestion in digesters. To conduct any of these processes it becomes necessary the knowledge of its characteristics, which is incipient. Then, this study aimed to analyze the physicochemical characteristics and microbiological of the quail wastes. The analyses related to the density (D), electrical conductivity (EC), total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), fixed solids (FS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH , total nitrogen (Nt), nitrogen ammonia (Nammoniacal), total phosphorus (Pt), potassium (K), sodium (Na), total coliform (TC) and fecal (FC) were performed at the Laboratory of Water Quality (LQA ), in the Agricultural Engineering Department, Federal University of Vicosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The following results were found: D: 2060 g L-1 EC: 13.59 mS cm-1, ST: 24.50 dag kg-1, SV: 18.25 dag kg-1, SF: 6.27 dagkg-1, BOD: 659.32 mg L-1, COD: 7.64 mg L-1, pH: 6.01, Nt: 663.32 mg L-1, Namoniacal: 115.36 mg.L -1,Pt: 0.24 mg L-1, K: 225 mg L-1, Na: 20.10 mg L-1, TC; 56.9 MPN, FC: 18.1 MPN. These results are consistent with those of some other categories of birds mentioned in the literature.

Physical Planning of Intensive Systems of Beef Cattle Using Systematic Layout Planning as an Analytical Tool and Its Relationship with Animal Well-Being

The intensification of animal production systems suggests that the future of production is not the increase of the herd, but the increase of productivity. The main goal of facility design is to provide space for a specific purpose, and to provide optimal conditions for its development; transforming human and animal needs into environments that meet the minimum requirements of comfort and functionality. When a facility designer knows and respects the biology of the animals and their behavior as well as how to provide adequate facilities, it is possible to improve animal welfare. As a result, there are better economic results both in the increase in efficiency of the system of creation, and in the ability to acquire products with better quality. Through diagnosis systems used in intensive beef cattle production units in the northern part of the state of Minas Gerais, problems were identified in each unit. These systems were classified by the study of activity and facility flows. This data analysis used SLP (Systematic Planning Layout) to identify, visualize and classify activities. This tool made it possible to establish relationships between all the facilities that make up the intensive beef cattle system. This information was summarized in a preferential relationship form that presents alternatives to the physical arrangement of facilities. This prioritized and optimized the flow of displacement for existing workers and animals, as well as the prediction of facility design, providing support in the evaluation and development of projects, aimed at animal welfare.

Influence of Deep Bed Litter Systems on the Behavior of Dairy Goats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental conditions during the use of deep bed litter systems on the behavioral responses of dairy goats. Forty-eight Brown Alpine and Saanen goats were used and divided into three equal groups, with average initial milk production and body weight of 2.0 kg and 36.0 kg/goat, respectively. Each group of forty-eight animals was housed in three stalls, in which the following treatments were applied: rice straw (T1), wood shavings (T2), and grass bedding (T3). To characterize the thermal environment, relative humidity and dry-bulb temperature were used to calculate the black globe humidity index (BGHI). These were measured every two hours on alternating days, for both the internal and external environments. Animal behavioral parameters were evaluated by means analysis of photos taken during the morning and afternoon, based on selected behavioral patterns. Based on these results, it was concluded that, on average, the thermal comfort of the goats in each of the three treatments was considered satisfactory. The results of BGHI were within the acceptable threshold for animal production. Based on the behavioral analysis it was verified that each of the deep bed litter systems provided acceptable welfare for the goats.

Productive Performance of Rhea (Rhea americana) Kept in Confinement During Growth Phase, in Brazil.

This Brazilian bird, pertaining to the Rheiforme order, Rheidae family and Rhea gender has outstanding itself by its reproductive, productive and adaptive characteristics. However, its optimum productive performance will depend on the adequate facilities and management that minimizes the harmful effects that can be caused by the environmental conditions. The aim of this work was to analyze the productive performance of rheas (Rhea americana) maintained over confinement, during its growth. The experiment was carried out in an experimental facility, in the Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa City, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, during from April to May, 2004. Thirty six animals, 18 males and 18 females, with average initial weight of 4.7 kg for the females and 4.3 kg for the males were identified. They were distributed in couples in the internal boxes on the referred facility and maintained on the floor without litter. The main constructive characteristics of the facility were: width of 10.0 m, height of 3.50 m and 61.0 m of length. It was guided east-west. The diet attended the brazilian nutritional applications, considering these experimental animals in growth. The internal and the external environment were continually monitored. The animal performance was evaluated in accordance to the average alive weight (AAW) at the end of the experiment, which was of 7.7 kg. It was registered difference between the males and the females, this is, the males reached 7.6 kg and the females 7.8 kg. Those values were below the expected ones, usually about 9.5 kg, for animals with the same age.