PurpleRace: Cost-cutting raceway technology for purple microbiomes, sustainable feed ingredients for healthy fish.

The aquaculture feed and ornamental fish food markets depend mainly on fishmeal as protein source, yet its use is highly controversial as its production relies primarily on fish caught in the wild resulting in overexploitation of natural fish stocks. The use of microbial biomass as protein source for feeds, termed microbial protein, has the potential to mitigate this unsustainable practice. Biomass of purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) is a type of microbial protein with a high protein content, an outstanding protein quality and a high vitamin and pigment content. Its potential use as feed ingredient has been demonstrated, yet research beyond the nutritional value such as health or color improvements is limited or nonexistent. The PurpleRace project is firstly developing a novel production method that will reduce the current high production costs by using raceway technology. Secondly, PurpleRace will provide evidence for the benefits of PNSB as a feed ingredient, resulting in a detailed protocol for the formulation of an ornamental fish food.

Keywords:AQUACULTURE

Disciplines:Animal morphology, anatomy and physiology, (Bio)chemical reactors, Bioprocessing, bioproduction and bioproducts, Industrial microbiology, Aquaculture