IVIC develops feed supplement for cattle from agro-industrial waste

Published at: 15/09/2026 02:29 PM

Experts from the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) are developing an innovative project to formulate dietary supplements for cattle, based on the immobilization of efficient mountain microorganisms in carbonaceous matrices derived from agro-industrial waste.

The chemical engineer Ramón Henríquez, a researcher at the IVIC, explained that the work focuses on isolating efficient mountain microorganisms capable of digesting cellulose and lignin, while producing biochar as a carbonaceous source from agro-industrial waste of plant origin.

These wastes, naturally enriched in lignin and cellulose, become the basis of the system: the resulting biochar serves as a matrix to immobilize microorganisms, which act as predictors of the food usually supplied to cattle.

“Microorganisms would be able to predigest in a certain way the food products that are usually given to cattle and thus facilitate their digestion and animal nutrition,” Henríquez said.

The project, according to a press release from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MINCYT), is designed as a circular economy system: the products excreted by cattle, once treated with the supplement, would be applied as fertilizer and fertilizer to agricultural soils, which would increase the production of plant material.

This new plant material would, in turn, generate more agro-industrial waste that would feed back the same work cycle. “Added value is given to agro-industrial products and to waste as well,” said the researcher.

In addition, to implement the system within the bovine environment, the IVIC team of researchers is carrying out studies focused on the thermodynamics of the pyrolysis process, as well as on kinetic aspects and the design of reactors.

These technical components are essential for scaling the technology and ensuring its productive viability under real field conditions.

In this way, Henríquez said that the initiative seeks to contribute to greater independence and food sovereignty, both for producers and for communities.

Mazo News Team