Research project Microbial fermentation as a protein source in food and feed applications for Flemish companies
General introduction
How do we get microbial fermentation products valorized as high-quality protein sources for food and feed applications? That is the basic question of the MICROBIAL PROTEIN TRANSITION project. Through two small-scale showcases, this project has demonstrated the potential of single cell protein both in human food and (concerning the by-products of fermentation processes) in animal feed. The project, carried out by ILVO and BBEU (Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant), supported companies in the agri-food sector in their first innovation steps in this technology. The approach through co-creation in Living Labs and special investments in pilot equipment at the Food Pilot in Melle and the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant facilitated experiments on a small and semi-industrial scale.
Research approach
Two established pilot plants, the Food Pilot in Melle (a joint venture of ILVO and Flanders' FOOD) and the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (a spinoff of Ghent University), consulted with each other to make the smartest investments in necessary pilot equipment. The equipment allows to perform experiments on a small and semi-industrial scale with the production, purification, characterization and further processing of nutrient streams through a microbial fermentation process. Two showcases were executed, including a sustainability analysis. One concerned evaluating potential in food products and one dealt with opportunities in feed applications. The partners opted for a process of co-creation through the existing Living Labs within ILVO and Flanders' FOOD.
Relevance/Valorization
The social and economic relevance of this research (and investment) can be found in the rapidly evolving, global trend of protein diversification via microbial fermentation, also crucial in Flanders. All parties involved have given positive feedback on the approach to study the whole process of valorization through the showcases, together with companies that (could) valorize (each of) the mentioned residual streams with expertise.
