The nine most promising protein-rich aquafeed ingredients

A recently published report, compiled with support from the Moore Foundation by Hatch Blue, takes a deep dive into nine of the most promising protein-rich aquafeed ingredients.

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Led by Linda Chen, associate at Hatch Blue, and the Hatch Innovation Services team, the Emerging Protein-rich Ingredients for Aquaculture report aims to identify the most promising ingredients to complement existing sources of protein, expand the raw materials basket and bridge the protein gap in aquafeeds.

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Reaching harvest volumes of 87.5 million tonnes in 2020, aquaculture production has exceeded that of capture fisheries, according to the latest FAO data. Driven by population growth, rising income, improved health awareness and urbanisation, global consumption of aquatic food is expected to increase by 15 percent to supply on average 21.4 kg per capita in 2030. To match this pace of consumption, aquaculture production is expected to reach 106 million tonnes in 2030. Underlying the growth of aquaculture is the accelerated demand for quality feed ingredients.

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Following a preliminary assessment of hundreds of ingredients, the report narrowed down the list by focusing on the most competitive emerging ingredients that also contain at least 50 percent crude protein, as well as have the potential to both reach at least 100,000 tonnes of annual production and be included in aquafeeds at a minimum rate of 3 percent. The nine ingredients which met these criteria are:

• Corn fermented protein
• Fermented soybean meal
• Barley protein concentrate
• Insect meal
• Methanotrophic bacteria
• Mycelium
• Grass protein concentrate
• Canola protein concentrate
• Mixed nut meal

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Market trends

The research identified three trends in the market:

The improvement of protein extraction and the reduction of anti-nutritional factors to convert existing low-quality raw materials into high-value ingredients.

The repurposing of commercial processes developed in the early 1990s for new ingredient production.

Genetic enhancement of existing agricultural crops for higher protein yields.

“We’ve found that, in the short term, by-products from existing agricultural and terrestrial production processes will contribute significant volumes of aquafeed ingredients. Upcycling low-value plant-based agricultural and ethanol by-products into protein-rich ingredients is associated with cheaper capex and production costs. The market is shifting toward the repurposing of brownfield infrastructure. The utilisation of waste materials can reduce the amount of landfill and contribute to a circular economy,” Chen explains.

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Read more: https://thefishsite.com/articles/the-nine-most-promising-protein-rich-aquafeed-ingredients

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