Glycerol in ruminant diets

Abstract

With the increasing production of fuels from oleaginous vegetable sources, the fate of the by-products formed is a concern. Glycerol is one of the main by-products of this process and the industry absorbs a large part of this production, being unable to use one hundred percent of the glycerol, and with the surplus, researchers have tested it in diets for ruminants. This compound is an intermediary in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and can therefore contribute to the energy density of the diet. From this perspective, vacancies in the final third of pregnancy have been one of the main objects of study. To reduce dietary costs in cattle and sheep feedlots, adequate glycerol levels are also being trained. These studies hope to find a limit that allows the ideal inclusion of glycerol in diets, without compromising voluntary consumption and animal performance.