Use of cane condensed molasses solubles in feeding broilers

The mean composition of condensed molasses solubles (vinasse or stillage) obtained from the three alcohol fermentation plants of the sugar cane industry including proximate constituents, inorganic components and amino acid composition was obtained. Mean solids content was 620 g kg(-1). Vinasse found to be low in fat and fiber but high in ash and different carbohydrate contents. Potassium content of ash was almost 500 g kg(-1) which may be more a disadvantage than an advantage in poultry feeding. Ash can contribute substantially to the supply of calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and chloride in poultry feed. Vinasse was low in protein and the total content of essential amino acids including lysine and methionine was average. Performance results of broilers fed up to 60 g kg(-1) of neutralized stillage have shown that low levels of up to 40 g kg(-1) can prove profitable for the broiler feed industry, chiefly in sugar cane producing countries where its price is low and it is considered a waste by-product that may pollute. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.