Sustainable protein ingredient for animal feed (SUPIAF) (39656)

New sustainable uniform protein ingredients with high security of supply are important to meet the ever increasing demand for animal protein in the feed industry. Bacterial single-cell protein, Uniprotein, is a highly sustainable protein ingredient, due to its ability to grow on methane with minimum dependence on soil, water and climate. Pilot studies in piglets indicate, that bacterial protein meal (BMP) may improve growth, digestion and gut health while in feed for fish the impact is more unclear. As nutritional and functional effects as well as mechanisms behind are still uncertain more documentation is needed before commercialization. 

Thus, the aim of this project is to validate and optimize nutritional and functional properties of a sustainable bacterial protein, Uniprotein, when used as a feed for salmonids (rainbow trout) and piglets, which are the economically most important livestock species in traditional farming and within aquaculture production in Denmark.
By inclusion of Uniprotein in commercial feeds the aim is to increase the production potential and animal welfare of piglets and salmonids through improved performance (digestion, utilization, gut health & survival), leading to a decreased nutrient surplus per unit produced, which in addition to a reduced carbon foot print will increase the overall profitability. The project covers four work packages. 

Partners
DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources
UNIBIO, Denmark (coordinator)
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
BIOMAR, Denmark
Danish Agro, Denmark

Funding
The project is funded by the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark through the Green Development and Demonstration Program (GUDP).

Research area: Aquaculture