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Upgrading biogas plants to produce microbial proteins for aquaculture feed.
- Source :
-
Journal of Cleaner Production . Jun2024, Vol. 459, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- As the world population continues to grow, alternative protein sources must be sought to meet increased protein needs and avoid the detrimental effects of traditional protein production. Microbial proteins (MP) are a low-carbon footprint alternative suitable for manufacturing food and feed. Bacterial-based MP can be produced at moderate costs using agro-waste, which is already utilised by anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to produce biogas and fertilisers. At present, there is the opportunity to turn existing AD plants into biorefineries for bio-based products like MP destined for fish feed. In this work, we evaluated the feasibility of biogas production coupled with MP production in the same medium-sized European biogas plant through mass and energy balances and basic economic assessment. The liquid phase rich in volatile fatty acids resulting from agro-waste fermentation was used to obtain MP by mixed cultures in a continuous stirred tank reactor, with the highest VSS productivity (1.21 g/L day) obtained at hydraulic retention times of 2–3 days. The obtained MPs were rich in proteins (74.0% of TVS), PHAs (22.5%) and essential amino acids, useable as feed ingredients in aquaculture. An initial economic analysis showed that the production of 590 tMP/year could yield a break-even price of 1300 €/t of MP, taking into account the investments in the new technology and additional operating costs. This analysis illustrates the competitiveness of a combined plant when evaluated against established market benchmarks and highlights a promising prospect for the expansion of MP production capacity. [Display omitted] • MP were produced in a bioreactor with a maximum productivity of 1.21 g/L day. • MP were rich in proteins (74%), polyhydroxyalkanoates (22.5%), essential amino acids. • Plants for biogas production could be upgraded to produce MP for aquaculture. • The calculated break-even point for combined MP-biogas plants is 1300 €/t for MP. • A medium-sized biogas plant has the potential to host cost-competitive MP production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09596526
- Volume :
- 459
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Cleaner Production
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 177421609
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142559