Author/Authors :
ERDOĞAN, Sibel Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi - Ziraat Fakültesi - Zootekni Bölümü, Yemler ve Hayvan Besleme ABD, Turkey
Abstract :
Glycerol is colorless, odorless, hygroscopic, and sweet-tasting viscous liquid. Synonymous names for glycerol include glycerin, glycerine, propane-1,2,3-triol, 1,2,3-propanetriol, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane, glyceritol, and glycyl alcohol. Glycerol that is a trihydroxy sugar alcohol is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Due to its moisturizing properties, high energy content and high solubility index in water, glycerol is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Recently, with expansion of the biofuels industry including further processing of canola, sunflower and soybean oil to produce biodiesel there is a potential for increased availability of unrefined glycerol, a byproduct, as a valuable energy source for ruminant animals. Although glycerol may be an alternative energy source for ruminant animals there are unanswered question regarding the handling, inclusion rates, impact and contamination status, and feeding value compared with other energy sources. In this review, some of the attributes and issues pertinent of glycerol as a replacement for grain feeds and source of alternative energy in ruminant nutrition were reviewed and current knowledge on this issue was summerized.
