Distiller’s grains raising antibiotic concerns
Published: July 21, 2009
Source : AllAboutFeed.net
Several studies have indicated that distiller's grains contain antibiotics, which have been used to kill bacteria in the ethanol distilling process.
The distillation process requires a combination of enzymes and yeast to convert corn into ethanol. But bacterial organisms present during distillation can sometimes out-compete yeast in the breakdown of this sugar.
The easiest way to kill these bacteria is to use antibiotics, which not only linger following distillation; they also appear to be passed along to cattle in the DG.
Until now, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't made a point of using antibiotics in ethanol distillation, but this may change.
Samples of DG requested from 60 ethanol plants revealed the presence of four types of antibiotics: penicillin, virginiamycin, erythromycin and tylosin.
Currently there already is a concern about the use of antibiotics in feed fed to poultry and pigs.
A growing number of medical authorities fear that minute traces of antibiotics that have leaked through the path of feed and manure into the drinking water promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Water treatment facilities are not equipped to remove these antibiotic traces from drinking water.
Also medical researchers are unsure of the extent to which these small traces of antibiotics in drinking water may contribute to the growing problem associated with antibiotic resistance.
The easiest way to kill these bacteria is to use antibiotics, which not only linger following distillation; they also appear to be passed along to cattle in the DG.
Until now, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't made a point of using antibiotics in ethanol distillation, but this may change.
Samples of DG requested from 60 ethanol plants revealed the presence of four types of antibiotics: penicillin, virginiamycin, erythromycin and tylosin.
Currently there already is a concern about the use of antibiotics in feed fed to poultry and pigs.
A growing number of medical authorities fear that minute traces of antibiotics that have leaked through the path of feed and manure into the drinking water promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Water treatment facilities are not equipped to remove these antibiotic traces from drinking water.
Also medical researchers are unsure of the extent to which these small traces of antibiotics in drinking water may contribute to the growing problem associated with antibiotic resistance.
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27 de julio de 2009
There are natural products available today that will also stop the microbiable fermentation of ethenol production without the risk association of antibiotics. Therefore, I believe there is no reason to pose the risk!
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23 de julio de 2009
Good article about Distiller's grains. DDGS with antibiotics may be a blessing in disguise to 3rd world countries when feeding costs are considered but the consequence on the over all human health implications may be too expensive to bear.The development of antibiotic resistant strains of organism is one of the major challenges to health and chemotherapy.
Dr Igwe U Eddy
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22 de julio de 2009
Distiller's grains and DDGS with antibiotics are may be blessing is disguise for the third world and under developed countries like Pakistan, where there is no law on antibiotic control and it may also help to reduce the cost of feed.
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