Production of an odor-reducing, low-dust, clumping cat litter from soybean hulls and soybean hull biochar

Abstract

Soybean hull biochar (SHB) was produced from soybean hulls (SH). Nine pelletized cat litter formulations at two different particle sizes (particle size 1 = between 0.84 and 2.00 mm; particle size 2 ≤ 0.84 mm) were produced from SHB and SH to determine water absorption (termed hydration capacity) and reduction of volatile thiols. One of these formulations from particle size 2 was chosen for additional testing. This formulation was combined with guar gum as a clumping agent and mineral oil as a dust reducer. The final formulation treated with simulated cat urine significantly reduced the population of three pathogenic bacteria over a three-day test period. Compared to four commercial biobased cat litters, this formulation was superior for odor and dust reduction while having hydration capacity and clumping ability equal to or better than the commercial litters.