SuperStraw for odour reduction in animal beddings

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There is abundance of straw (crop residues) in Manitoba and in Canada and farmers often face the problem of what to do with leftover straw. A common practice of straw disposal is to burn it in the field (stubble burning). However, this practice is either prohibited or regulated in many jurisdictions because burning straw puts a significant amount of particulate matter and other pollutants (carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds) in the atmosphere, causing environmental and health problems. Although straw has been explored for various market opportunities, most of those markets are not economically viable. Biovalco Innovative Products Inc. (BIP) has developed a straw-based product (SuperStraw) for moisture adsorption. The company plans to further develop and improve SuperStraw for high-value applications, such as pet bedding. There are two most important requirements for a material to be used for pet bedding - moisture adsorption and odour reduction. BIP has conducted research that demonstrated the superb moisture adsorption capacity of SuperStraw compared to traditional animal bedding materials, but it is not known if SuperStraw is effectives in odour reduction, and more importantly, how it would reduce odour. In the proposed research, laboratory experiments will be performed to analyze the performance of SuperStraw in odour reduction, and to elucidate the mechanisms by which SuperStraw reduces odour. The generated scientific information will guide the company to improve the processes and formulations of SuperStraw to further enhance the odour control capacity of the product.