Meat waste treatment methods and potential uses

Abstract

Meat waste management has been and continues to be one of the most important issues related to pollution management. This was due to the high concentration of meat waste materials like blood, hair, tail, horns and bones, among others that have to be thoroughly and effectively treated prior to their disposal. Methods like aerobic and anaerobic digestion [mesophilic or thermophilic temperatures, composting (windrows, aerated static piles and bins or aerated chambers)] are currently extensively used. Nowadays, the emphasis is on reusing the so-called waste materials for production processes, i.e. meat and bone meal. The latter was widely recommended and used in animal nutrition as a protein source in place of proteinaceous feeds. However, this approach greatly suffered from Small Bowel Enteroclysis (SBE) occurrence and micro-organism presence. Heavy metal absorption by means of charred bones appears to be one of the most promising applications of bones apart from other use for production of edible materials. The aim of this review was to summarise most updated references in the field of meat waste treatment and potential uses of treated waste by means of nine informative tables and six figures.

The effect of meat and bone meal on phosphorus concentrations in soil and crop plants

“…The residual effect of MBM resulted in a slightly higher average content of available phosphorus in soil, in comparison to the annual application. At low availability of phosphorus during the first growing season, MBM can be the main source of this nutrient for crop plants in subsequent years, and phosphorus fertilization is not recommended in the following year (Valenzuela et al 2001, Jeng et al 2006, Arvanitoyannis and Ladas 2008. According to Ylivainio et al (2008), only 20% of phosphorus provided by MBM was available to plants in the first year, whereas 60% was still found three years after MBM application.…”

The Potential of Animal By-Products in Food Systems: Production, Prospects and Challenges

“…The usage of abattoir wastes as secondary fuel through thermal recycling in power plants has been reported to be achievable [73]. In spite of this, cattle manure, poultry litter and pig waste are also important for biogas and electric power production [74] while solid waste generated from abattoirs and meat processing is used as fuel in the cyclonic combustor [75].…”

Anaerobic digestion of specific biodegradable waste and final disposal

“…Wastes and residues resulting from diverse agricultural activities, such as planting and harvesting of row, field and tree and vine crops, milk production, production of animals for slaughter, and operation of feedlots, are collectively called agricultural waste. Because of its specificity and continuous inflow from different industries and agricultural production, agricultural organic waste represents potential danger for environment and human health [2,3]. In the meat industry, the slaughtering process is the largest contributor to liquid waste.…”

“…After the cooking process, tallow is extracted and the remaining residue, known as MBM or animal flour, is sterilized before being safely disposed off [5]. MBM was widely recommended and used in animal nutrition as a protein source in place of proteinaceous feeds because of its content of available essential amino acids, minerals and vitamin B12 in monogastric nutrition and rumen escape proteins in ruminant nutrition [6,3]. But, as a result of the recent bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis in the European beef industry, the use of animal by-product is now strictly controlled.…”

“…But, as a result of the recent bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis in the European beef industry, the use of animal by-product is now strictly controlled. Since November 2000, MBM production can no longer be used to feed cattle, but can be incorporated in food for pigs, poultry, fish or pet food [7,3].…”