NON-FOOD UTILIZATION OF ANIMAL COPRODUCTS

Authors: Marmer, William; Solaiman, Daniel; Foglia, Thomas; Brown, Eleanor - Ellie

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2003
Publication Date: 7/1/2003
Citation: Marmer, W.N., Solaiman, D., Foglia, T.A., Brown, E.M. 2003. Non-food utilization of animal coproducts [abstract]. American Chemical Society. Paper No. AGFD104.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The United States is the world's single largest producer of meat animals. From the processing of these animals significant quantities of valuable coproducts are produced. Research at ERRC investigates the utilization of hides and skins, fats, rendered protein for non-food, non-feed applications, and wool. Animal hides are the most valuable coproduct of the meat industry. Most of those hides are converted here or abroad into leather, while other product streams are collagen, gelatin, and protein hydrolysates. ERRC researchers have investigated the fundamentals of collagen chemistry, the temporary preservation of hides prior to tanning, chemical and enzymatic crosslinking processes (including tanning), and the mechanical properties of the final products. Enzyme chemistry is also being applied to the modification and derivatization of other animal protein materials -- wool, gelatin, and rendered protein. Much of the research on fats and oils is feedstock-neutral -- animal or plant-derived -- but the lower amounts of unsaturation in animal fat affect the chemical and physical properties of such derivative products as biodiesel fuel, polymers and surfactants. Research at ERRC has focused on conversion of fat to biodiesel and the cold temperature properties of the resultant fuel. Additional research has been conducted on the fermentation of fats to biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates and surfactants such as sophorolipids.