METHOD FOR UTILIZING THE NUTRITIONAL, CHEMICAL-ORGANIC, PHARMACEUTICAL, HERBAL, COSMETIC AND/OR ENERGETIC POTENTIAL OF VEGETABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Abstract: A method for utilizing the nutritional and/or chemical-organic and/or pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic and/or energetic potential of vegetable agricultural products, particularly of forage products such as alfalfa or the like, the method comprising: a step for gathering the plants or a part thereof; a step for the precision shredding of the plants into pieces having a preset length; and a step for separating the shredded plants into at least two fractions: a leaf fraction, mainly constituted by leaves, and/or a stalk fraction, mainly constituted by stalks, and a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves and stalks and other parts of the plant; successively, at least one of these components can be subjected to further treatment steps for obtaining food products particularly for zootechnical feeding and/or for human nutrition and/or for extracting substances to be used in the zootechnical field and/or for humans or in other fields and/or for producing heat energy and/or electric energy and/or for producing fuels.

Description: METHOD FOR UTILIZING THE NUTRITIONAL, CHEMICAL-ORGANIC, PHARMACEUΗCAL, HERBAL, COSMEΗC AND/OR ENERGETIC POTENTIAL OF VEGETABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS Technical Field The present invention relates to a method for utilizing the nutritional and/or chemical-organic and/or pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic and/or energetic potential of vegetable agricultural products. The method according to the invention has been conceived in particular to improve and enhance the utilization of forage products such as alfalfa or the like, mainly orientated toward zootechnical feeding, but it can be used in any case to improve and enhance the utilization of other vegetable species, leading to products which can be used for human nutrition and/or in the pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic sector or for other applications. Background Art In the particular field of alfalfa, in recent years trade in this product has experienced a growing crisis caused mainly by the fact that the market requires, for zootechnical feeding, products which are ever more specific and balanced, which only the most highly specialized fodder industry can produce. For this reason the market of alfalfa, based primarily on the dehydration of the mowed product, has gradually lost significant market share. Another reason for this crisis lies in the management costs of dehydration plants, for which the cost of conventional fossil fuels is one of the largest factors. Further, the use of fossil fuels causes environmental problems both as regards pollution, which can be reduced only by adopting remedies which further increase the management costs of dehydration plants, and as regards the so-called greenhouse effect, which cannot be reduced because it is inherent in the use of this kind of fuel which, with its combustion process, increases the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. Summary of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, by providing a method which allows to utilize fully and in an economically convenient manner the nutritional and/or energetic potential of agricultural products such as forage products or the like, particularly alfalfa. Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a method which allows to produce specific and balanced foodstuffs, designed mainly for zootechnical feeding, without having to resort to food supplements or in any case considerably limiting recourse to such supplements. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method which can be used more generally in order to utilize fully, and in an economically convenient manner, the nutritional and/or chemical-organic and/or pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic and/or energetic potential of other vegetable agricultural products. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method which allows to extract from plants, particularly but not exclusively from alfalfa, high-value substances which can be used as supplements in the formulation of zootechnical or human foodstuffs or in other fields. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method which, if required, can be self-sustaining from an energy viewpoint. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method whose execution reduces or even eliminates recourse to energy sources based on the use of fossil fuels, thus reducing harmful environmental effects particularly as regards the greenhouse effect. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method which, in addition to producing products designed for zootechnical feeding, also allows to utilize the parts of plants in general, and of forage products in particular, having a lower nutritional value, to produce fuels which can be used as an alternative to conventional fuels, with reduced damage to the environment. This aim, these objects and others which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a method for utilizing the nutritional and/or chemical-organic and/or pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic and/or energetic potential of vegetable agricultural products, particularly of forage products such as alfalfa or the like, characterized in that it comprises: a step for gathering plants or a part thereof; a step for the precision shredding of the plants into pieces having a preset length; and a step for separating the shredded plants into at least two fractions: a leaf fraction, mainly constituted by leaves, and/or a stalk fraction, mainly constituted by stalks, and a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves and stalks and other parts of the plant, said fractions being subjectable to further treatment steps. Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the method according to the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a chart illustrating the steps of the method according to the invention up to the separation step; Figures 2 to 4 are charts showing the steps of the method related to possible treatments after the step for separating the shredded plants into three fractions, respectively a leaf fraction, a mixed fraction and a stalk fraction, if the separation step is performed on substantially moist plants; Figures 5 to 7 are charts showing the steps of the method related to possible treatments after the step for separating the shredded plants into three fractions, respectively a leaf fraction, a mixed fraction and a stalk fraction, if the separation step is performed on semi-moist plants; Figure 8 is a chart showing the steps of the method related to possible treatments after the step for separating the shredded plants into three fractions, respectively a leaf fraction, a mixed fraction and a stalk fraction, if the separation step is performed on substantially dry plants; Figure 9 is a chart showing the steps of a moist elution treatment; Figure 10 is a chart showing the steps of a dry elution treatment; Figure 11 is a chart showing the steps of an infusion treatment. Description of the preferred embodiments In the above figures, the diamonds represent points of the method at which it is possible to choose between two or more possible treatment alternatives. The optional treatment steps have been shown by dashed rectangles. The method according to the invention is now described in its application to a forage, particularly to alfalfa, while being understood that it can in any case be applied to other vegetable species, as mentioned and explained in greater detail hereinafter. With reference to Figure 1, the method according to the invention comprises a step for gathering by mowing, followed by a precision shredding step. In the case of other vegetable species, gathering can be performed by mowing or with other methods and can also be limited to only a part of the plant. Conveniently, after the gathering step and before the precision shredding step, the forage can be subjected to a pre-drying step in the sun directly in the field. In the precision shredding step, the forage is cropped into pieces of preset length; said preset length is preferably substantially between one and three times the average width of its leaves. If the forage is constituted by alfalfa, said preset length is substantially equal to approximately 3 cm. Said length, however, can be suitable for other vegetable species as well. The precision shredding step is designed to obtain pieces of forage which, depending on the position affected by the shredding cut, are constituted exclusively by stalk portions or by stalk portions with petioles of leaves, with portions of leaves or other parts of the plant, such as inflorescences or other parts or portions constituted exclusively by leaves. After the precision shredding step, the forage can be subjected, without performing any further dehydration, to a separation step which is termed "moist separation" hereinafter. Optionally, before the moist separation step, the forage can be subjected to a slight artificial pre-drying aimed merely at eliminating the surface moisture of the forage caused by the precision shredding of the very moist forage with abundant loss of sap, in order to prevent the lighter parts of the forage plant from sticking to the other parts, making it more difficult to perform the subsequent moist separation step. This slight pre-drying step can be performed by heating or absorption, as described in detail hereinafter. The forage being subjected to the moist separation step has an average moisture content substantially in the range of 30-40% to 70-80%. As an alternative, after the precision shredding step, the forage can be subjected to a partial dehydration which produces a semi-moist condition of the forage in which said forage has an average moisture content substantially in the range of 12-20% to 40-50%. The forage is then subjected to a separation step, which is termed "semi-moist separation" hereinafter. Again as an alternative, the forage, after precision shredding, can be subjected to full dehydration, leading to a shredded product which is practically dry, i.e., with an average moisture content substantially in the range of 4-8% to 15-20%. The forage is then subjected to a separation step which is termed "dry separation" hereinafter. It should be noted that the pre-drying designed to eliminate surface moisture and the partial dehydration or full dehydration may also be avoided if the pre-drying in the sun lasts long enough to make the forage respectively substantially free from surface moisture or in any case bring its average moisture content to a value which is suitable for semi-moist separation or to a value which is suitable for dry separation. The gathering step and the precision shredding step can be performed by using conventional machines which are not described for the sake of simplicity. The pre-drying designed to eliminate the surface moisture can be performed with a machine which can be derived from currently commercially available dehydration machines but can be considerably smaller and have a distinctly lower power consumption in view of the reduced time required to achieve evaporation of the surface moisture of the forage. The partial or complete dehydration can be performed with machines derived from conventional dehydration machines, optionally fueled with fuels derived from the same forage being treated, as will become apparent hereinafter. The step for separating the forage into its fractions can be performed by means of a machine which is for example of the type disclosed in WO 99/42224 by the same Applicant, in which said separation is performed as a function of the terminal velocity (a characteristic of a body which is equal to the velocity of an ascending current required to support said body) of the parts into which the forage has been divided by precision shredding. The terminal velocity v t of an object, in m/s, is expressed by the following relation: s s p a where p s is the volume mass of the object (kg/m 3 ), V s is the volume of the object (m 3 ), C d is the aerodynamic drag coefficient, S s is the maximum cross-section of the object with respect to the air stream (πr), g is the acceleration of gravity (m/s 2 ) and p a is the volume mass of the air (kg/m 3 ). This separation can also be performed as a function of the relative density of these parts that compose the forage, for example by means of a centrifugal separator, or can also be provided by means of a machine which performs said separation as a function of both the terminal velocity and the apparent relative density of the parts that compose the forage. Through the chosen separation step, the forage is preferably divided into three fractions: a leaf fraction, mainly constituted by leaves; a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves and stalks and other parts of the forage plant; and a stalk fraction mainly constituted by stalks. As an alternative, the forage, through the separation step, can be divided into just two fractions: a leaf fraction, mainly constituted by leaves, and a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves and stalks and other parts of the forage plant. As a further alternative, the two fractions might also be constituted by a stalk fraction, mainly constituted by stalks, and by a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves and stalks and other parts of the forage plant. The diagrams of Figures 2 to 8 illustrate the preferred condition of separation into three fractions. If only two fractions are separated during the separation step, these diagrams are still valid, but the steps of the treatments related to the leaf fraction are omitted, if only the mixed fraction and the stalk fraction are separated, or the steps of the treatments related to the stalk fraction are omitted if only the leaf fraction and the mixed fraction are separated. The treatment steps to which the three fractions are subjected after moist separation are shown in Figures 2 to 4. After the moist separation step, the leaf fraction, whose amount can vary approximately between 30-40% and 50-70% by mass on the total forage mass, has an average moisture content substantially in the range of 30% to 60%. The mixed fraction, whose amount can vary approximately between 15% and 35% by mass on the total forage mass, has an average moisture content substantially in the range between 40% and 70%. The stalk fraction, whose amount can vary approximately between 10-20% and 40-50% by mass on the total forage mass, has an average moisture content in the range of 45-55% to 75-85%. As shown in Figure 2, the leaf fraction can be subjected to grinding and then to a pretreatment which consists in modifying its pH by adding suitable acid or basic substances, depending on the initial conditions (for example H 2 S0 4 or HCl or NH 3 or other products, such as enzymes, acids, bases, salts, etcetera) and/or subsequently and/or simultaneously heating said moist ground product, which is in the semiliquid or pasty state. This pretreatment is designed to reach the isoelectric coagulation point of the proteins that are present in the product, in order to make it easier and convenient to subsequently separate the fractions and/or modify their physical and/or chemical structure. In summary, the purpose of the pretreatment is to optimize the subsequent steps of the process from the qualitative point of view and from the technological point of view. After pretreatment, the leaf fraction is subjected to pressing, producing juice and a moist cake. The juice obtained from pressing can be subjected to a separative concentration, for example a separation process using semipermeable membranes such as microfiltration and/or ultrafiltration and/or nanofiltration and/or reverse osmosis, depending on the substances to be separated, in order to separate proteins, enzymes and sugars. These products are subsequently subjected to drying, densification and cooling and then stored. These products can be used to produce zootechnical feeds or can be used in food and non-food sectors. The term "densification", which is also used hereinafter, designates a treatment by means of which the relative density of the product is increased by agglomerating together the parts that compose it through a mechanical action which gives the product a stable and durable configuration. Densification can be constituted, for example, by a granulation or pelletizing step, which can be performed with conventional technologies and machines. As an alternative, the juice can be subjected to drying and then to densification, with subsequent cooling and storage, without separating proteins, enzymes and sugars. The resulting product, which is particularly rich in high-value substances since it is derived from the pressing of the leaves of forage, is preferably designed to be used as such or as a supplement for zootechnical feeding or for other non-food uses. As a further alternative, the juice can be subjected to a moist elution treatment. As shown in particular in Figure 9, the moist elution treatment comprises a treatment with eluents, which can be constituted by pure solvents or by appropriately proportioned mixtures thereof, depending on the substances to be extracted, such as for example hexane, petroleum ether, acetone, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, ethyl ether, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, etcetera. Then pressing is performed in order to separate the eluate and the moist cake. The eluate is then subjected to a known type of separation by elution by using specific solvents in order to obtain the separation of pigments, vitamins, fats, enzymes and eluent mix. This separation yields xanthophylls, carotenes, chlorophylls, fats, vitamins and enzymes which can have several uses both in the food sector and in the non-food sector. The fats that can be extracted include so-called Omega-3 fats, polyunsaturated fatty acids, whose EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) types can be assimilated directly by the human body as well, with beneficial effects in terms of resistance to diseases. The eluent mix can be recovered with known techniques and recirculated. The moist cake can be subjected to a process for recovering the eluent mix that remains in the moist cake after pressing. The moist cake can then be subjected to drying and then to densification followed by cooling and storage to be used in the field of zootechnical feeding, or can be added to the mixed fraction or to the stalk fraction in steps of the method according to the invention which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The moist cake produced by pressing the leaf fraction can instead be subjected to drying followed by densification with subsequent cooling and storage, in order to be used as a food product for zootechnical feeding, or can be used in other steps of the method according to the invention, added to the mixed fraction or to the stalk fraction, as described in greater detail hereinafter. As an alternative, the leaf fraction can be subjected to moist elution directly after separation from the stalk fraction and from the mixed fraction, obtaining a moist cake and an eluate, as already described. The moist cake can be used as such for zootechnical feeding or can be added to the mixed fraction or to the stalk fraction, as described in greater detail hereinafter, while pigments, vitamins, enzymes and fats can be separated from the eluate, as already described. As a further alternative, the leaf fraction, directly after separation from the mixed fraction and from the stalk fraction, can be subjected to drying. After drying, the leaf fraction can be subjected to densification, followed by cooling and storage. The resulting product is substantially constituted by leaves and can be used as a zootechnical feed as such or can be used as a supplement for zootechnical feeds, since it is rich in particularly high-value nutrient principles. As an alternative, the leaf fraction, after drying, can be subjected to an infusion treatment. As shown in Figure 11, the infusion treatment comprises a step for infusion in water or in a water-based liquid, followed by a moist elution treatment which has already been explained. The infusion step, instead of being followed by a moist elution treatment, can be followed by a pretreatment of the type already explained with reference to Figure 2, which consists in modifying the pH of the product and/or subsequently and/or simultaneously heating it. After this pretreatment, the product is subjected to pressing in order to separate juice and moist cake. The juice can be subjected to separative concentration, as already explained with reference to the moist elution treatment, or can be simply subjected to drying and then to densification with subsequent cooling and storage. The moist cake produced by the infusion treatment can be subjected to drying with subsequent densification or can be used in other steps of the method according to the invention, added to the mixed fraction and/or to the stalk fraction, as will become apparent hereinafter. As an alternative, the leaf fraction, after drying, can be subjected to grinding and then to a dry elution treatment. As shown in Figure 10, the dry elution treatment comprises a treatment with eluents, constituted for example by pure solvents or by appropriately proportioned mixtures thereof, depending on the substances to be extracted, such as for example hexane, petroleum ether, acetone, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, ethyl ether, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, etcetera, followed by pressing in order to separate eluate and dry cake. The eluate is subjected to a process for separation by elution, by means of which xanthophylls, carotenes, chlorophylls, vitamins, fats and enzymes are separated. The fats that can be extracted include, in this case too, the above-mentioned "Omega-3" fats. The mixture of eluents can be recovered and reused for the same treatment with eluents. The dry cake can be subjected to densification with subsequent cooling and storage, after recovery, for example by evaporation and subsequent condensation, of the mixture of eluent contained therein as residue, or can be used, together with the mixed fraction or with the stalk fraction, in other steps of the treatment according to the invention, as will become apparent hereinafter. Also the dry cake can be used as a food product as such or for preparing feeds in the zootechnical sector. As an alternative, the leaf fraction, after drying, can be subjected to defibration to separate the laminas from the fiber. Defibration can be performed in a per se known manner by a rather fine grinding of the product, followed by a screening with a single or cascade vibrating screen which separates the finer particles corresponding to the less fibrous and accordingly more brittle fraction and therefore belong to the laminae, from the larger particles corresponding to the ribs and to petiole portions, i.e., the fiber. Defibration can also be performed by means of defibration mills which separate the fibrous part from the finer part while they grind. The fiber can be used in other steps of the method according to the invention, added to the mixed fraction and/or to the stalk fraction, which will be explained hereinafter, or can be subjected to densification with subsequent cooling and storage. The fiber produced by densification, subsequent cooling and storage can be used as a zootechnical feed. The laminae can be subjected to an infusion treatment, as described above in detail, obtaining juice and moist cake or moist cake and eluate. As an alternative, the laminae can be subjected to a dry elution treatment as described above in detail, obtaining eluate and dry cake. As a further alternative, the laminae can be simply subjected to densification with subsequent cooling or storage, obtaining a product which can be used for zootechnical feeding. It should be noted that the moist cake produced by the lamina infusion treatment can be dried or not dried and be combined with the fiber before densification. Likewise, the dry cake produced by the dry elution treatment of the laminae can be combined with the fiber before densification. As shown in Figure 3, the mixed fraction produced by moist separation can be subjected to grinding with subsequent drying followed by densification, preferably constituted by pelletizing, with subsequent cooling and storage, obtaining a product for animal feeding in the form of short- fiber pellets. Before drying, it is possible to combine the moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described earlier with the mixed fraction. Before densification, it is possible to combine with the mixed fraction the fiber and/or the dry cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Before densification, the mixed fraction can be optionally subjected to further grinding. As an alternative, the mixed fraction can be subjected to drying followed by optional coarse grinding with subsequent densification followed by cooling and storage, obtaining a product for animal feeding in the form of long-fiber pellets. In this case too, before drying it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Before densification, it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the fiber and/or the dry cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. As a further alternative, the mixed fraction can be subjected to drying followed by cooling and then by packaging with subsequent storage, obtaining a product in the form of large bales for zootechnical feeding. Before drying, it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the moist cake derived from the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Before packaging, it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the fiber and/or the dry cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. As shown in Figure 4, the stalk fraction, produced by moist separation, can be fed into an autoclave with the optional addition of the moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. The autoclave treatment generates steam which can be used to produce heat energy or electric energy or to co-generate heat energy and electric energy. This energy can be used, as an alternative to conventional energy sources, to sustain the execution of the method according to the invention in terms of energy. The dry stalks are removed from the autoclave and are subjected to grinding and then to densification with subsequent cooling and storage. Before densification, the dry stalks may receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Before densification, the stalks may receive the addition of additives which can be of the food type, if a product is to be obtained with a high fiber content which can be used for zootechnical feeding, or of additives of the combustible type if a product is to be obtained which is mainly composed of vegetable fiber and can be used as fuel. As an alternative, the stalk fraction, instead of being conveyed into an autoclave, can be subjected to grinding followed by an optional drying with subsequent densification followed by cooling and storage. Before drying, the stalk fraction can receive the addition of the moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Likewise, before densification, the stalk fraction can receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Also in this case, before pelletizing, it is possible to add to the stalk fraction additives of the food type, if a product is to be obtained which can be used for zootechnical feeding, or combustible additives if a product is to be obtained which can be used as an alternative fuel. As a further alternative, the stalk fraction produced by moist separation can be simply subjected to drying, obtaining dry stalks which can have different uses according to requirements. One of these uses can be as a zootechnical feed with a high fiber content by adding food-type additives to the dry stalks. Another application can be the use of the dry stalks to eliminate, by absorption, the surface moisture from the forage before performing moist separation. In this case, the dry stalks are mixed with the shredded forage so that, thanks to their reduced moisture content, they absorb the surface moisture from the forage, which can accordingly be subjected to moist separation together with said stalks. As a further alternative, the stalk fraction can be subjected to grinding and then fed into an autoclave with the optional addition of catalysts, such as for example inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, organic acids such as acetic acid, salts of said acids, bases such as sodium hydroxide or carbonate, ammonia, potassium hydrate, enzymes and/or mixtures of these substances, depending on the product, on its pressure and temperature conditions and on the required reaction times. These catalysts are designed to generate a more or less complete hydrolysis of the fibrous parts of the stalks, which are mostly constituted by cellulose, into its fundamental fractions, such as glucose (cellulose is constituted by very long chains of 1,000-3,000 glucose molecules which break due to the action of the hydrochloric, sulfuric acids etcetera, mostly under the action of pressure and temperature, breaking down almost exclusively into glucose, which is a fundamental and soluble monosaccharide sugar). Treatment in the autoclave generates steam which can be used to produce heat energy, electric energy or to co-generate heat energy and electric energy. The residue of the stalk fraction is subjected, in the autoclave, to hydrolysis with separation of the solid fraction from the liquid fraction. The liquid fraction produced by the hydrolysis treatment can be treated like the juice derived from the treatment of the leaf fraction described above, except for the moist elution treatment, since the stalks are practically devoid of pigments, vitamins and enzymes. Optionally, said liquid fraction can be combined with the juice produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction. The solid fraction is instead subjected to pressing, with the separation of fiber and juice, which can be treated like the liquid fraction and optionally combined therewith. The fiber is then subjected to drying with subsequent densification followed by cooling and storage. Before densification, the fiber can be subjected to further grinding. Before drying, the fiber may receive the addition of the moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Likewise, before densification, the fiber may receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described above. Before densification, the fiber may receive the addition of food-type additives, if a product is to be obtained which can be used for zootechnical feeding, or of combustible-type additives if an alternative fuel product is to be obtained. If semi-moist separation is chosen, the leaf fraction has an average moisture content substantially in the range of 10% to 30%, the mixed fraction has an average moisture content of substantially 15% to 40%, and the stalk fraction has an average moisture content of substantially 25% to 60%. As shown in Figure 5, the leaf fraction derived from semi-moist separation can optionally be subjected to drying if its average moisture content is higher than approximately 15%, and then to grinding followed by a dry elution treatment, as specified earlier with reference to the treatment of the leaf fraction produced by moist separation, with separation of dry cake and eluate. As an alternative, the leaf fraction, after optional drying, can be subjected to an infusion treatment, as explained above with reference to the treatment of the leaf fraction produced by moist separation, with separation of moist cake and eluate or of moist cake and juice. As an alternative, the leaf fraction produced by semi-moist separation can be subjected to densification followed by cooling and storage, obtaining 60951 17 a product for zootechnical feeding in different fragment sizes according to the densification performed. As a further alternative, the leaf fraction derived from the semi-moist separation can be subjected to defibration in order to separate the laminae from the fiber. The laminae can be subjected to an infusion treatment with separation of moist cake and eluate or of moist cake and juice, or can be subjected to a dry elution treatment with separation of dry cake and eluate. As a further alternative, the laminae can be subjected to densification followed by cooling and storage, obtaining a product which is designed for zootechnical feeding and is rich in high-value substances. The fiber can be subjected to a densification treatment followed by cooling and storage, obtaining a product which is designed for zootechnical feeding and has a high fiber content. As an alternative, the fiber can be combined with the mixed fraction produced by semi-moist separation, as will become apparent hereinafter. The moist cake and the dry cake produced by the infusion or dry elution treatments can be subjected to the same treatments and have a final use as already described with reference to the moist cake and to the dry cake produced by the infusion and dry elution treatment already explained in relation to the leaf fraction obtained from moist separation, or can be added to the mixed fraction or to the stalk fraction in the treatments of these fractions, which are described in greater detail hereinafter. The juice produced by the infusion treatment and the eluate derived from the infusion treatment or from the dry elution treatment can be subjected to the treatments already described with reference to the above-described treatments of the leaf fraction derived from moist separation. As shown in Figure 6, the mixed fraction can be subjected to various treatments according to its degree of moisture. In the case of a mixed fraction having a low moisture content, lower than 18% as an approximate guide value, said mixed fraction can be subjected to grinding with subsequent densification, followed by cooling and storage to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of short- fiber pellets. Before densification, the mixed fraction may receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake and/or moist cake, optionally subjected to prior drying, produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction. As an alternative, the low-moisture mixed fraction can be directly subjected to densification followed by cooling and storage, optionally preceded by coarse grinding in order to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of long-fiber pellets. In this case too, before densification it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the fiber and/or the dry cake and/or moist cake, optionally subjected to prior drying, produced from the treatment of the leaf fraction. As a further alternative, the low-moisture mixed fraction can be simply subjected to cooling followed by packaging with subsequent storage, obtaining a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of large bales. In this case too, before packaging it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the fiber and/or the dry cake and/or the dried moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction. If the mixed fraction has a high moisture content, higher than 18% as an approximate guide value, it can be subjected to grinding followed by drying, with subsequent optional further grinding followed by densification with subsequent cooling and storage to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of short-fiber pellets. As an alternative, the high-moisture mixed fraction can be subjected to drying with subsequent optional coarse grinding, followed by densification with subsequent cooling and storage to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of long-fiber pellets. As a further alternative, the high-moisture mixed fraction can be subjected to drying followed by cooling with subsequent packaging and storage to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of large bales. In this case too, before densification or packaging, it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the fiber and/or the dry cake derived from the treatment of the leaf fraction. In this case, the moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction can be combined with the mixed fraction before the drying that precedes densification or packaging, or just before densification. As shown in Figure 7, the stalk fraction derived from semi-moist separation can be subjected to various treatments depending on its moisture content. In the presence of a stalk fraction having a low moisture content, lower than 35-45% as an approximate range, said fraction can be subjected to drying in order to obtain dry stalks which can be used for zootechnical feeding with the optional addition of supplements. As an alternative, the low-moisture stalk fraction can be subjected to grinding followed by drying with subsequent densification followed by cooling and storage. Before densification, the stalk fraction can receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake derived from the treatment of the leaf fraction. The moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction can be combined with the stalk fraction before densification or before drying, according to requirements. Before densification, it is possible to add to the stalk fraction additives of the food type, if a product is to be obtained for zootechnical feeding, or additives of the combustible type, if a product is to be obtained for being used as an alternative fuel. In the case of a stalk fraction having a medium moisture content, substantially in the approximate range of 35-45% to 45-55%, said fraction can be subjected to treatment in an autoclave, producing steam which can be used to generate heat energy or electric energy or to co-generate heat energy and electric energy. The moist cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction can also be introduced in the autoclave together with the stalk fraction. Dried stalks are removed from the autoclave and are subjected to grinding and then to densification followed by cooling and storage. Before densification, the dried stalks can receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake and/or moist cake, optionally subjected to prior drying, produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction. Also in this case, before densification, the dried stalks can receive the addition of food-type additives, if a product is to be obtained for zootechnical feeding, or combustible-type additives if a product is to be obtained for being used as an alternative fuel. If the stalk fraction has a high moisture content, substantially higher than 45-55% as an approximate range, it is subjected to grinding followed by treatment in an autoclave with the prior addition of catalysts, as already described with reference to Figure 4. The treatment in the autoclave generates steam, which can be used to produce heat energy, electric energy, or to co-generate heat energy and electric energy. The residue of the stalk fraction is subjected, in the autoclave, to hydrolysis with separation of the solid fraction from the liquid fraction. The liquid fraction can be subjected to the same treatments already described with reference to the treatment of the juice for the leaf fraction described with reference to Figure 2, except for the moist elution, since the liquid fraction produced by the treatment of the stalk fraction is practically devoid of pigments, vitamins and enzymes. The solid fraction is subjected to pressing with separation of fiber from the juice. This juice too can be subjected to the same treatments as the liquid fraction and optionally be added to the liquid fraction. The fiber is subjected to drying followed by optional further grinding, with subsequent densification, followed by cooling and storage. Before densification, the fiber can receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake produced by the treatment of the leaf fraction described with reference to Figure 5. The moist cake derived from the treatment of the leaf fraction can be added to the fiber before densification or before drying, according to requirements. Before densification, the fiber may receive the addition of additives of the food type, if a product is to be obtained for zootechnical feeding, or additives of the fuel type, if a product is to be obtained for being used as an alternative fuel. If the forage is subjected to dry separation, one obtains a leaf fraction with a moisture content substantially between 5% and 15%, a mixed fraction with a moisture content substantially between 8% and 18%, and a stalk fraction with a moisture content substantially between 10% and 20%. As shown in Figure 8, the leaf fraction produced by this dry separation can be subjected to densification followed by cooling and storage, obtaining a product which can be used as such as a zootechnical feed or as a supplement for zootechnical feeds in view of the high content of high-value nutrient substances. As an alternative, the leaf fraction can be subjected to an infusion treatment, as already described with reference to the previously described treatments, obtaining juice or eluate and moist cake. As a further alternative, the leaf fraction can be subjected to grinding followed by a dry elution treatment with production of dry cake and eluate. According to a further alternative, the leaf fraction produced by dry separation can be subjected to defibration in order to separate the laminae from the fiber. The laminae can be subjected to an infusion treatment, producing moist cake and juice or moist cake and eluate as already described above. As an alternative, the laminae can be subjected to a dry elution treatment with the production of dry cake and eluate or, according to another possible alternative, the laminae can be simply subjected to densification followed by cooling and storage, obtaining a product for zootechnical feeding. The fiber can be subjected to densification followed by cooling and storage, obtaining once again a product for zootechnical feeding. As an alternative, the fiber can be combined with the mixed fraction or with the stalk fraction during the treatment of these fractions, which is described in detail hereinafter. The juice and the eluate derived from the infusion treatment or from the dry elution treatment of the laminae can be subjected to the same treatments already provided with reference to the juice and the eluate described earlier. The moist cake derived from the infusion treatment and the dry cake derived from the dry elution treatment can undergo the same treatments already described with reference to similar products obtained from the treatments of the leaf fraction obtained by moist or semi-moist separation or can be added to the mixed fraction and/or to the stalk fraction as will become better apparent hereinafter. The mixed fraction derived from dry separation can be subjected to grinding followed by densification with subsequent cooling and storage to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of short- fiber pellets. Before densification, the mixed fraction can receive the addition of the fiber derived from the treatment of the leaf fraction and/or the dry cake and/or the moist cake that derive from the dry elution treatments or from the infusion treatment of the leaf fraction. The mixed fraction can be subjected to densification, optionally preceded by a coarse grinding followed by cooling with subsequent storage to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of long-fiber pellets. In this case too, before densification it is possible to add to the mixed fraction the fiber deriving from the treatment of the leaf fraction and/or the dry cake and/or the moist cake deriving from the dry elution treatments or from the infusion treatment of the leaf fraction. As an alternative, the mixed fraction deriving from the dry separation can be simply cooled and then packaged and subsequently stored in order to obtain a product for zootechnical feeding, for example in the form of large bales. Before packaging, the mixed fraction can receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake and/or moist cake deriving from the treatment of the leaf fraction. The stalk fraction deriving from dry separation is subjected to grinding followed by densification with subsequent cooling and storage. Before densification, the stalk fraction can receive the addition of the fiber and/or dry cake and/or moist cake deriving from the treatment of the leaf fraction. Before densification, the stalk fraction can also receive the addition of additives which can be of the food type, if a product is to be obtained for zootechnical feeding, or of the combustible type if a product is to be obtained for being used as an alternative fuel. In practice it has been found that the method according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to obtain specific products, for example products which are rich in protein and vitamins derived mainly from the leaf fraction or with a balanced content of protein, vitamins and fiber, which can be used as zootechnical feeds or as supplements for producing zootechnical feeds. The method according to the invention further allows, if required, to fully utilize the non-food energy potential of the products subjected to treatment, obtaining final products which can be used as alternative fuels. Said alternative fuel products can also be used to self-sustain the method according to the invention, for example to perform the dehydration and/or drying treatments, without resorting to additional energy sources. It should be observed that said alternative fuels, by being constituted by biomass, have the advantage that they achieve an overall reduction in carbon dioxide production in the overall cycle of the growth of the forage and combustion plant, thus reducing the greenhouse effect. The method according to the invention, for some options of execution, also allows to produce heat energy and/or electric energy, which can also be used to self-sustain the method from an energy viewpoint, further reducing the costs for carrying out said method and thus obtaining highly specific final products with a distinctly lower cost than the currently commercially available products of the fodder industry. Although the method has been described by assuming further treatments for the leaf fraction, for the mixed fraction and for the stalk fraction after the moist, semi-moist or dry separation step, in some cases only one or two of these fractions might be subjected to further treatments, while the other fraction or fractions might be used directly for zootechnical feeding or for other purposes directly after the separation step with the optional simple addition of additives. The method has been conceived in particular to solve the problems related to the utilization of the food and non-food potential of forage products, particularly alfalfa, mainly with the goal of obtaining products for zootechnical feeding; however, it can be advantageously applied, without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the present invention, to other vegetable products in order to utilize their food and/or non-food potential, leading to products and/or substances designed for human nutrition or for zootechnical feeding. The gathering of the vegetable products can affect the entire plant or only part thereof (the part that is most interesting from a commercial viewpoint). The resulting final products can be loose or packaged by using densification and/or packaging techniques, as explained. Thus, for example, the method according to the invention can be applied to plants designed for cooking use, for pharmaceutical use, for herbal use, for cosmetic use. By way of the method according to the invention it is in fact possible to separate the higher-value fractions, according to the final use, from the lower-value fractions of the plant. The higher-value fractions can therefore be used directly or subjected to additional treatments, as described with reference to alfalfa, in order to package them in the most appropriate form or to extract high-value substances from said fractions. Since these additional treatments involve specific fractions of the plant, they can be more selective, leading to considerable advantages in terms of yield with respect to the methods currently used. The lower-value fractions can be used directly or subjected to additional treatments to package them in the most appropriate form or to extract substances which are still usable or to produce heat energy and/or electric energy or to use them as a zootechnical feed or to produce fuels, as explained in relation to alfalfa. The method thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details may also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the equipment used to perform the method according to the invention can be any according to requirements and to the state of the art. The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI99A000733 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for utilizing the nutritional and/or chemical-organic and/or pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic and/or energetic potential of vegetable agricultural products, particularly of forage products such as alfalfa or the like, characterized in that it comprises: a step for gathering the plants or a part thereof; a step for the precision shredding of the plants into pieces having a preset length; and a step for separating the shredded plants into at least two fractions: a leaf fraction, mainly constituted by leaves, and a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves and stalks and other parts of the plant, said fractions being subjectable to further treatment steps. 2. The method for utilizing the nutritional and/or chemical-organic and/or pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic and/or energetic potential of vegetable agricultural products, particularly of forage products such as alfalfa or the like, characterized in that it comprises: a step for gathering the plants or a part thereof; a step for the precision shredding of the plants into pieces having a preset length; and a step for separating the shredded plants into at least two fractions: a stalk fraction, mainly constituted by stalks, and a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves and stalks and other parts of the plant, said fractions being subjectable to further treatment steps. 3. The method for utilizing the nutritional and/or chemical-organic and/or pharmaceutical and/or herbal and/or cosmetic and/or energetic potential of vegetable agricultural products, particularly of forage products such as alfalfa or the like, characterized in that it comprises: a step for gathering the plants or a part thereof; a step for the precision shredding of the plants into pieces having a preset length; and a step for separating the shredded plants into at least three fractions: a leaf fraction, mainly constituted by leaves; a mixed fraction, constituted by a mixture of leaves, stalks and other parts of the plant; and a stalk fraction, mainly constituted by stalks; said fractions being subjectable to further treatment steps. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preset length is substantially between 1 and 3 times the average width of the leaves of the plant. 5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preset length is substantially equal to 3 centimeters. 6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that after said gathering step and before said precision shredding step, the plants are subjected to pre-drying in the sun. 7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that after said precision shredding step the plants are not subjected to dehydration and in that said separation step is constituted by moist separation performed on the non-dehydrated plants in order to separate them into said components. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that after said precision shredding the plants are subjected to pre-drying in order to eliminate the surface moisture of the plants and thereafter are subjected to said moist separation. 9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the stalk fraction produced by said moist separation is subjected to drying. 10. The method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that at least part of said stalk fraction, after said drying step, is added to the plants after said precision shredding in order to perform said pre-drying by absorption of the surface moisture of the plants. 11. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said separation step is constituted by a semi-moist separation performed on the partially dehydrated plants for their separation into said components. 12. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6 and 11, characterized in that after said precision shredding step and before said semi-moist separation the plants are subjected to partial dehydration. 13. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said separation step is constituted by a dry separation performed on the fully dehydrated plants in order to separate them into said components. 14. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6 and 11, characterized in that after said precision shredding and before said dry separation the plants are subjected to full dehydration. 15. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said components, derived from said separation step, is subjected to additional treatment steps. 16. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dry separation or said semi-moist separation or said moist separation is performed according to the terminal velocity and/or apparent relative density of said components.

Inventors: MANZOLLI GIUSEPPE IMO, MANZOLLI, GIUSEPPE, IMO
Applicants: MANZOLLI GIUSEPPE IMO, MARLEGREEN HOLDING S A, MANZOLLI, GIUSEPPE, IMO, MARLEGREEN HOLDING S.A.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A23K1
IPC codes: A23K1, A23K3, A23L1, A61K8, A61Q19