Reports

ALEXANDRA KIRCHNER FROM IFF, GERMANY VISITED FINS

TheConcerning the scientific reinforcement of the Feed to Food Research Center especially the training of young researchers, a current topic on feed quality was chosen to share experiences in feed technology research and process optimization: The addition of small amounts of liquids to feed
stuff powders. The application of typical liquids like molasses – characterized by different viscosities – to different feed powders may lead to problems while processing due to crust-building and further on may have negative influence on the feed quality concerning the mixture homogeneity.

During the stay of one IFF experienced researcher at the Feed to Food Center, specifications for mixing homogeneity of feed stuffs in Germany where figured out. Then different kinds of liquid application systems in combination with different kinds of mixers were introduced to the Feed to
Food researchers including also a unique intensive mixer which is commonly used e.g. in concrete industry and may have positive properties for feed production when adding liquids.

Two common theories on particle movement in bulk materials when adding liquids were introduced and discussed. The desired effects of liquid addition on product quality were explained and current results from a closed and a lasting research project of IFF Research Institute on optimization of the mixing process when adding small amounts of liquids were presented. The economical importance of research in this field not only for feed producers but also for food producers and machinery builders was pointed out. The presented results from the two IFF research projects were intensively discussed. For the lasting research project on mixture homogeneity and stability, conclusions were suggested together with researchers from Feed to Food Center and from IFF.

Further on a draft for publishing important outcomes of the discussion and conclusions for practical use of the results in feed production was supported by a researcher from IFF and will be continued by researches from Feed to Food Center. Additionally, open questions in the use of alternative, emerging liquid feed stuffs for desired effects like mixing stability and reduction of dusting behaviour were brought up.