ISSUE FOCUS 38 Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2025 Furthermore, previous research has shown that S. cerevisiae is not only safe to incorporate into the feed of various aquatic species but also appears to be highly palatable. For example, trials conducted with Nile tilapia and Pacific white shrimp demonstrated no negative impacts on growth, feed conversion ratio, survival, or body composition. In fact, certain metrics even improved, underscoring the potential of yeast SCP as an effective and advantageous protein source for aquafeeds. Additionally, since MicroBioGen’s yeast SCP is entirely free from genetic engineering, it circumvents the prolonged approval processes and market restrictions typically associated with genetically engineered organisms. In addition to its amino acid profile, MicroBioGen's yeast can be further tailored to enhance its nutritional value through specialized strains. For example, yeast enriched with phytase can neutralize anti-nutritional factors commonly found in plantbased feed ingredients, while lysine-rich yeast can address common amino acid deficiencies. Furthermore, yeast strains fortified with antioxidants help boost immune responses and reduce the need for antibiotics, offering a holistic solution for sustainable aquaculture. A CIRCULAR APPROACH TO FEED PRODUCTION Microorganisms used for SCP production typically rely on traditional food sugars for growth. However, this sugar-based approach is expensive, costing approximately US$0.40 per kilogram, with substrate costs reaching nearly US$1,000 per tonne of SCP - a significant barrier to economic viability in feed markets. In contrast, industrial side streams present a major valorisation opportunity. MicroBioGen’s yeast-based SCP technology can utilize various industrial side streams (Table 2), transforming low-value by-products into high-quality protein. This process not only reduces disposal costs and environmental impact but also aligns with circular economy principles. By converting millions of tonnes of low and negative value industrial byproducts into protein, MicroBioGen’s technology has the potential to replace a substantial portion of today’s fish meal production. With nearly 20 million tonnes of industrial side streams available globally, this method can meet the protein demands of the growing aquaculture industry while significantly reducing reliance on wild fish stocks. With a conservative yield of 0.42, this approach could produce nearly 10 million tonnes of SCP— enough to fully replace global fish meal production. By leveraging low-cost industrial side streams, MicroBioGen makes SCP production both more affordable and more sustainable, providing a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to fish meal and other traditional protein sources. AN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN: MICROBIOGEN YEAST SCP Protein alone has limited economic value as a standalone product. An SCP with only high protein content may not be sufficient to replace fish meal effectively. Given the costs associated with substrates and processing, SCP producers must maximize the value per unit to ensure profitability. Table 2. MicroBioGen has increased the range of substrates that yeast can utilise 1G* Ethanol (stillage/vinasse) 2G* Ethanol Biodiesel (transesterification) Dairy Glycerol, lactic and acetic acid Glycerol, organic acids, xylose Crude glycerol (50% to 80%) Lactose (glucose and galactose) 13 million tonnes – growing 100,000 tonnes – growing 4 million tonnes – static 1 million tonnes – slow growth *1G (first-generation) ethanol is produced from food crops, e.g. corn or sugarcane, while 2G (second-generation) ethanol is produced from agricultural products, e.g. timber offcuts, crop residues or waste sugarcane pulp (bagasse) Side stream Key carbon molecules Carbon available (globally)
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