Recent advancements in the production process of high-temperature cottonseed meal have the potential to significantly enhance its application in livestock and aquaculture feeds. Researchers from Handan Chenguang Botanical Protein Co., Ltd., and the Hebei Province Cottonseed Comprehensive Processing Technology Innovation Center, along with Chenguang Biotech Group Tumxuk Co., Ltd., have focused on reducing the free gossypol content in cottonseed meal, a naturally occurring toxic compound that limits its use in animal feed.
The lead author, Wang Runan, along with co-authors Shen Weipeng, Wang Zhijun, Yuan Xinying, and Zhang Yang, outlined in their article published in ‘Zhongguo Youzhi’ (China Oil and Fat) the various improvements made to the production process. By implementing a series of adjustments in the pretreatment stages—including shell-kernel separation and screening—the team was able to enhance the efficiency of the production line. Notably, they introduced equipment such as wind power seed cleaning machines and self-unloading magnetic separators, which contribute to better quality control.
One of the most significant changes was the upgrade from a plane rotary sieve to a rotary vibration sieve, which improved the separation process. Following screening, the cottonseed meal undergoes softening, stir-frying, and extruding, with careful control of moisture content during extrusion set between 9% and 10%. The process culminates in defatting and solvent removal, ensuring that the final product meets quality standards.
Wang emphasized the impact of these improvements, stating, “After the improvement of the process, the content of free gossypol in high-temperature cottonseed meal can be stably controlled below 800 mg/kg, and the quality of the product has been significantly improved.” This reduction in gossypol not only enhances the safety of cottonseed meal for animal consumption but also opens up new markets for its use in aquaculture, where high-quality feed is crucial for growth and health.
The implications of this research extend beyond animal nutrition. With the growing demand for sustainable and safe feed alternatives, these advancements present commercial opportunities for energy sector stakeholders as well. The production of high-temperature cottonseed meal can be integrated into broader bioenergy initiatives, particularly in the context of utilizing agricultural by-products for sustainable energy solutions.
As the agricultural and energy sectors continue to intersect, innovations like those reported by Wang and his team may pave the way for more efficient resource use and contribute to a more sustainable food supply chain. The findings highlight the potential for cottonseed meal not only as a valuable feed ingredient but also as a component in the development of renewable energy sources.
