Processing of pimento waste to provide a pigment source for poultry feed

Fresh pimento pulp waste was dehydrated in a pilot Arnold dehydrator to give meals rich in the red xanthophylls, primarily capsanthin. Xanthophyll content of the dehydrated meal ranged from 896 to 1114 mg/kg. Dejuicing of the pimento pulp prior to dehydration decreased charring during drying as well as the quantity of water to be evaporated. Carotenoid losses during dehydration ranged from 17 to 22% for xanthophyll and 0 to 10% for carotene. Although the unprotected pimento carotenoids were rapidly lost during storage either alone or in admixture with dehydrated lucerne, addition of the antioxidant ethoxyquin proved to be very effective in preventing carotenoid storage losses. Levels of 1% pimento meal should be adequate in poultry diets when fed in combination with lucerne meal.