Researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, have developed a technology that converts organic waste into a protein-rich ingredient for animal feed, offering a potential sustainable alternative to fishmeal used in aquaculture.
Developed at the UQ Biosustainability Hub, the process uses carbon dioxide and methane generated during the anaerobic digestion of organic waste to cultivate protein-rich microbial cells.
The harvested cells are processed into an ingredient known as single-cell protein, which has nutritional properties similar to fishmeal and could help reduce the aquaculture industry’s dependence on conventional fish-based feed ingredients.
Lars Puiman from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology said the technology could turn waste-derived gases into a valuable protein supplement for animal nutrition.
The research team has secured a patent for the biogas conversion process. According to James Heffernan from the institute, the technology could eventually be adapted to produce sustainable alternatives for other animal feeds and soil fertilisers.
The process also offers environmental benefits by recycling carbon from organic waste while limiting the need for additional emissions associated with conventional feed production.
Researchers noted that microbial single-cell protein could replace up to 75% of fishmeal in barramundi diets, although completely eliminating fishmeal remains a longer-term objective.
The technology is currently under development, with the next stage involving pilot-scale trials before testing its suitability for commercial aquaculture feed production.
The researchers are aiming to develop a cost-effective process that converts waste-derived gases into valuable feed ingredients while supporting resource recovery and reducing the environmental footprint of aquaculture.
