Analysis of Bioprocessing from Animal and Plant Origin

Abstract

This thesis investigated three interconnected areas within animal processing and bioethanol production: humane slaughter practices, the techno-economic feasibility of CO2-based stunning systems, and the potential role of Kernza in the fermentation process. A comprehensive review of slaughter methods for cattle, pigs, and broilers is presented, focusing on conventional and humane approaches, such as captive bolt, electrical, and CO2 stunning. While the industry increasingly emphasizes efficiency and animal welfare, the “humane” slaughter concept remains complex. A techno-economic analysis (TEA) was conducted to evaluate the financial viability of different slaughter technologies, mainly CO2-based stunning. The analysis compared cost performance with and without CO2 pipeline reuse infrastructure. Results show that CO2 can remain cost-competitive even without a pipeline, though integration could further enhance economic efficiency. In the fermentation portion of the study, Kernza was blended with corn to assess its viability as a Supporter Fermentation Crop (SFC). Experiments measured ethanol yields at 30°C and 25°C across multiple blend ratios, revealing that Kernza may support fermentation efficiency under specific ratios. Although the nutritional potential of Kernza-derived DDGS is briefly addressed- precisely its possible advantages in livestock feed due to fiber and micronutrient content- the topic was not explored in depth and was recommended for future work. Overall, the study provided insights into the technological and economic dimensions of modern animal processing systems and emerging bio-based fermentation strategies, with implications for sustainability and operational performance.