INNOVATION Alternative Proteins Magazine October 2024 47 icant, with the industry’s carbon emissions coming under greater and greater scrutiny from consumers and regulators. As an example, nearly 80% of the carbon footprint from Norwegian salmon production comes from feed ingredients alone. NoMy provides an alternative by producing its feed ingredients with significantly lower environmental impact. The production of mycelium-based feed requires fewer natural resources, such as land and water, compared to conventional commodity crops. Additionally, the controlled, local production of mycelium ensures a stable supply chain, reducing the dependence on imported feed components. This innovative approach helps mitigate the risks associated with fluctuating crop yields, climate change, seasonality and trade disruptions, providing a reliable, sustainable solution to feed manufacturers that improves the resiliency of feed producers’ supply chains. ENHANCING ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION Lastly, NoMy’s products are not just sustainable— they are also highly nutritious. Mycelium-based feed ingredients are rich in proteins, fibers, and bioactive compounds, which have shown to support gut health, enhance immune system function, and promote the overall well-being of animal health. One key benefit of mycelium is its ability to enhance the digestibility and bioavailability of feed. Studies have shown that mycoproteins have a higher digestibility score than incumbent proteins, particularly soy. Functional impacts from B-glucans in fungal cell wall biomass in the mycoproteins may also enable an immunostimulatory response, leading to healthier animals and better productivity. NoMy continues to explore the health-promoting properties of mycelium and is committed to ongoing research that aims to enhance the nutritional profile of their products. FUTURE PROSPECTS: EXPANDING MYCELIUM’S POTENTIAL Looking ahead, NoMy is poised to expand the applications of mycelium far beyond feed ingredients. As the global industry increasingly shifts toward sustainable supply chains favoring environmentally friendly raw materials, the versatility of NoMy’s technology platform offers a multitude of opportunities for growth and innovation. The company’s long-term vision includes collaborating with global feed manufacturers to integrate mycelium-based ingredients into a wider array of feed formulations. By partnering with forward-thinking companies and research institutions, NoMy aims to push the boundaries of what mycelium can achieve in both animal and human nutrition. Furthermore, the development of sustainable feedstocks from food industry residues opens the door to new business opportunities for cost effective biomanufacturing in industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. NoMy’s holistic approach to sustainability and innovation positions them as a leader in the ongoing transformation towards a bio-based, circular economy. NoMy’s innovations in fungal technologies represent just the beginning of what can be possible for a whole new world of sustainable solutions. However, it will not be possible without sustained investment by private and public stakeholders towards the emergence of a new bio-based green industry for food, feed and beyond. And it cannot be built overnight. The time is now to invest in the industrial development of tried-and-true technologies, like biomass fermentation, that can deliver a brighter and greener future for tomorrow.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==