INTERVIEW FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2022 45 How is SmartMoisture used? What does this product contain and how does it increase the penetration rate of moisture into the feed? A solution of SmartMoisture and water is created before dosing. The recommended solution is 380g SmartMoisture to 9,600ml of water for 1% moisture addition. Dosing the solution is very important as the dosing needs to be accurate at the right time, at the right pressure, through nozzles that create a mist spray angled into the feed. For this we have developed a network of liquid dosing companies which can support us in building these systems and maintaining them in every region we do business. The photos on the left show an example dosing system. What is the optimum moisture level in production, why is it important and how does SmartMoisture ensure this level is maintained? Our recommendation is to ensure feed has the moisture levels intended at the point of manufacture. Moisture should be treated in a similar fashion to other raw materials which are added as an ingredient just like maize, soya and wheat. It is part of the nutritional specification of feed. If moisture is not included as intended, feed millers will fill that space with more expensive raw materials. Moisture management is also highly important in terms of feed safety. What is SmartMoisture’s contribution to the solution of problems that may occur in feed safety due to moisture? Adding water to feed without SmartMoisture increases risk. Grains don’t simply absorb water, they become hydrophobic due to a tightening of cell walls as internal moisture is depleted, causing an imbalance of water either side of the cell wall which hinders osmosis. This leads to surface tension issues and water cannot initially penetrate the cell wall.This creates water particles sitting freely in the feed which in turn increases water activity. The higher the water activity the higher the risk of microbial growth (selected fungi will start growing at water activity of 0.67aW). SmartMoisture through the glycerol esters and surfactants has proven to significantly reduce the water activity in mash, pelleted and extruded feed therefore reducing the risk. The propionic that is esterified to glycerol and formic acid protects the feed against microbial growth. The glycerol esters of propionic acid are not an ionic bond like ammonia propionate and are not pH sensitive to dissociation. As a result, we get better retention over time of propionic acid and that leads to longer protection of feed. Has SmartMoisture ever been tested practically in any feed mill? Could you share with us the results obtained in terms of financial and operational performance? Yes, in the last two years we have run 17 commercial trials in various feed mills and extruder plants. We see consistent results and can comfortably claim: • 98% moisture retention • Improved steam absorption • Increase of throughput, minimum result so far was 10% • Amperage reduction of around 12% (throughput and amp reduction goes hand in hand) • Pellet durability improvement varying from 0.5%- 13% depending on pellet quality before treatment • Water activity control • Total Enterobacteria and mould control • Retention of moisture after production, this is associated with reduction of moisture migration and caking in feed.
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