[Technology Saw] – A shortage of animal feed leads scientists to an innovative alternative.
Highlights:
- Scientists have converted coal into protein, offering a cost-effective solution to China’s protein scarcity despite its significant role in pig and aquaculture production.
- Researchers explored using coal-derived methanol for industrial fermentation to reduce China’s reliance on imported soybeans for animal feed.
- Scientists achieved a remarkable 92 percent conversion rate of coal to protein, surpassing traditional methods in cost-effectiveness.
- This coal-to-protein method is economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
- Microbial proteins produced possess a diverse nutritional profile and are suitable substitutes for fishmeal, soybeans, meat and milk powder.
- Ways to mitigate feed shortages globally.
Scientists Search for Alternatives in Animal Feed Production
In response to the escalating global demand for animal feed triggered by a booming world population, Chinese scientists at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology which is a part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have achieved a groundbreaking feat by transforming coal into protein.
Professor Wu Xin and his team offer a low-cost and highly efficient solution to combat the severe shortage of protein resources faced by China, despite its position as a global leader in pig and aquaculture production.
China, which is heavily reliant on imported soybeans for animal feed with an annual import volume surpassing 100 million metric tons, actively sought alternative, cost-effective methods to ensure a stable protein supply.
The researchers turned to biotechnological synthesis and explored various pathways, ultimately focusing on industrial fermentation using methanol derived from coal as a raw material.
The discovery lies in the development of a protein production technology that exceeds the cost-effectiveness of traditional methods.
By utilizing the yeast strain Pichia pastoris, which efficiently grows using methanol, the team achieved an impressive conversion rate of 92 percent of the theoretical value.
This method boasts a high dry cell weight and crude protein content, standing at 120 g/liter and 67.2 percent respectively.
One of the key advantages of this coal-to-protein production method is its economic viability and environmental sustainability.
The high conversion rate makes it economically attractive and the process doesn’t require arable land, making it immune to seasonal variations and climate changes.
What makes it better?
Professor Wu Xin stated that it is “a thousand times more efficient than traditional farming practices,” highlighting its efficiency compared to conventional agricultural methods.
Moreover, the microbial proteins produced through this method possess a complete amino acid profile along with vitamins, inorganic salts, fats and carbohydrates.
This nutritional richness positions them as viable partial replacements for fishmeal, soybeans, meat and skimmed milk powder in various applications, showcasing the versatility of this innovative solution.
While the research team has initiated industrial-scale production, producing thousands of tons of protein in an undisclosed plant, it’s essential to note that only a few products are currently on the market.
Companies like KnipBio in the United States have received FDA approval for their KnipBio Meal, a high-quality feed protein comparable to fishmeal derived from methanol.
Looking ahead, Professor Wu Xin emphasizes the importance of enhancing the physiological functions and nutritional value of methanol-derived proteins.
This strategic approach aims to further reduce production costs and increase the value of methanol protein, paving the way for large-scale production and potential global adoption.
Global Feed Shortages
Global feed shortages are a big problem that affects how much food we have, especially meat and dairy products and how much money farmers make all over the world.
These shortages happen for a bunch of reasons like crazy weather events, more people needing food and competition for land to grow food versus feed for animals.
The weather, like droughts and floods, messes up farming, causing crops like corn and soybeans, which are used to feed animals, to fail or not grow as much.
This means there’s not enough food for the animals, so farmers have to pay more for it, which can make it harder for them to make a profit.
More people needing food means more land gets used to grow food for them instead of feed for animals. This makes it harder to get enough food for the animals, which can drive up prices even more.
The prices of things farmers need to feed animals can also change a lot, like how much they cost or if they’re even available.
This can be because of things like how much stuff there is, rules about trading, or problems between countries.
When these prices go up or down a lot, it can mess up how farmers get food for their animals, especially in places that rely on getting food from other countries.
These shortages don’t just affect farmers; they affect all of us. When food for animals costs more, it also makes meat and dairy products more expensive for us to buy, especially for people who don’t have a lot of money.
Ways to Mitigate Feed Shortages Globally
Dealing with a shortage of animal feed is a big deal for farming, taking care of animals and making sure we have enough food overall.
Instead of just talking about the problem, let’s look at some practical ways to fix or at least ease this issue on a global scale:
International Collaboration: Get countries and groups working together to share ideas, technology and resources to solve the global feed shortage problem.
This might involve joint projects, new policies or sharing new tech between countries.
Meanwhile, governments should make rules that encourage farmers to use sustainable methods and invest in new farming technology.
Financial rewards or subsidies could motivate farmers to adopt practices that boost feed production.
Research and Development: Put money into figuring out how to grow crops that give a lot of nutrition and can be used for animal feed.
This might involve things like using genetically modified plants or advanced breeding methods to make the food even better for animals.
Also, encourage farmers to use methods that are good for the land and don’t use too much fertilizer or water. This not only helps the crops grow better but also protects the environment.
Alternative protein sources
Get creative and invest in different kinds of protein for animal feed, like bugs, algae or single-cell proteins.
These alternatives are more sustainable and mean we don’t have to rely so much on the usual protein sources like soybeans.
More so, tech farmers know the best ways to feed animals and manage nutrition. This helps them use the available food wisely and reduce any unnecessary waste.
Climate-Resilient Crops: Grow crops that can handle changes in the weather caused by climate change. This ensures a steady supply of animal feed even when the environment gets tough.
In doing so, make sure you use smart ways to manage water in farming to make sure it’s used efficiently. Lack of water can seriously affect how much food we can grow and, in turn, the amount of animal feed available.
More importantly, find ways to reuse waste from one industry (like food processing or brewing) as ingredients for animal feed. This not only reduces waste but also improves the availability of feed.
However, this breakthrough technology above offers hope for meeting global animal feed demands sustainably.
Professor Wu Xin’s focus on enhancing protein functionality and nutritional value hints at further advancements in reducing production costs and increasing the appeal of methanol-derived proteins on a larger scale.
This innovation not only marks a significant leap in meeting global protein demands but also signals a transformative phase in animal agriculture, spearheaded by China’s pioneering efforts.