Carnauba wax as a wall material for urea microencapsulation

BACKGROUND The high ureolytic activity of rumen microbiota is a concern when urea is used in ruminant feed, because it leads to fast urea conversion, resulting in possible intoxication and lower nitrogen utilization. This study intended to microencapsulate urea using carnauba wax to obtain slow‐rele...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2019-02, Vol.99 (3), p.1078-1087
Main Authors: de Medeiros, Tiago Tavares Brito, de Azevedo Silva, Aderbal M, da Silva, André Leandro, Bezerra, Leilson Rocha, da Silva Agostini, Deuber L, de Oliveira, Diego Lomonaco Vasconcelos, Mazzetto, Selma E, Kotzebue, Lloyd R Viana, Oliveira, Jéssica Ribeiro, Souto, Gabriella S Barbosa, de Barros Carvalho, Ariádne, Netto, Antonio J, Oliveira, Ronaldo Lopes
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkalosis
animal nutrition
Chemical attack
Copernicia prunifera
Formulations
Hygroscopicity
Intoxication
Microbiota
Microencapsulation
Microorganisms
Microspheres
Moisture content
Organic chemistry
Risk reduction
Rumen
slow‐release system
Thermal stability
Urea
Ureas
Water content
Waxes
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Summary:BACKGROUND The high ureolytic activity of rumen microbiota is a concern when urea is used in ruminant feed, because it leads to fast urea conversion, resulting in possible intoxication and lower nitrogen utilization. This study intended to microencapsulate urea using carnauba wax to obtain slow‐release systems in the rumen. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial, with the urea encapsulated with carnauba wax in ratios of 1 : 2; 1 : 3, and 1 : 4 (UME2; UME3, and UME4) and two particles sizes (small, PS; and large, PL). RESULTS All formulations showed excellent properties, including inhibition of urea hygroscopicity. The formulation UME2 exhibited the greatest yield (91.6%) and microencapsulation efficiency (99.6%) values, whereas the formulation UME4 presented the greatest thermal stability (259.5 °C) and lowest moisture content (1.81%). The UME2 formulation presented a slower release than the other UME formulations studied. CONCLUSION The production of urea microspheres using carnauba wax was successful for all microencapsulated systems developed, evidencing the promising potential for use in ruminant animal diets. The UME2 formulation with large particles is the most recommended because it permitted greater resistance to microbial attack, allowing a slower release of urea into the rumen, reducing the risk of intoxication or ruminal alkalosis. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
ISSN:0022-5142
1097-0010
DOI:10.1002/jsfa.9275