ISSUE FOCUS 22 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2023 to 1,000 times its own weight. The surfactant reduces the water’s surface tension to feed, therefore improving moisture distribution. Glycerol and the surfactant improve water absorption into feed particles, thereby reducing the amount of free water, and helping to stabilise water activity. SmartMoisture S is similar to SmartMoisture except that it contains high levels of buffered formic acid. A meta-analysis conducted on data collected from eight commercial feed mill trials showed that the addition of SmartMoisture increased moisture retention by 98.2%, improved pellet durability by 13.4% and reached a maximum water activity of 0.64 on feed with a moisture content of 12.4%. In an aqua-feed trial, SmartMoisture achieved and stabilised water activity below 0.55 even at a 4% moisture increase over the control (Figure 2). Similar water activity results were also observed in a pet-food trial (Figure 3). This allows aqua feed and pet food to be dried off and shipped at a higher moisture content, thereby increasing yield and profitability. Studies conducted on SmartMoisture and SmartMoisture S have consistently shown strong reductions in Total Enterobacteriaceae Counts (Figure 4). It is clear that good moisture management is crucial for feed hygiene and safety, as well as animal health and performance. About Janus Fouche Janus Fouche graduated from university (RAU) in 2004. He spent 6 years auditing and validating programs on feed milling efficiencies and moisture management across South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In 2012, Fouche joined Alltech as the African Sales Manager focusing on feed additives and Keenan feed mixing wagons and served on AFMA’s (Animal Feed Milling Association) technical committee. Joining Devenish in 2018 as the Regional Manager for Sub-Sahara Africa, Janus Fouche launched SmartMoisture with Devenish as the global product Manager in 2019. Globally involved with implementing Moisture Management and Feed Hygiene programs at large feed milling companies. Figure 2. Water activity of aqua-feed at different levels of SmartMoisture inclusion Figure 3. Water activity of SmartMoisture included in pet food Figure 4. The effect of SmartMoisture S on bacterial growth
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