MicroCoCoNut: Microbial community control for nutritional protein.

Microbial protein is an alternative and sustainable source of protein in animal feed and human food. In this project, a novel production method for microbial protein is investigated on effluents from the food and beverage sector. Previous research for instance demonstrated excellent replacement potential of unsustainable protein sources in aquafeeds. Microbial community control tools will be developed, along with their automation, to optimize the nutritional quality of the biomass. Additionally, with drying as one of the larger cost items, research will optimize drying conditions and explore alternative downstream processing. The project will yield biotechnology to produce a costefficient high-quality microbial protein, facilitating access to the animal feed market. The animal husbandry sector is in urgent demand for alternative protein sources, and several valorization routes are possible, for instance based on licensing to food and beverage companies and/or wastewater technology firms.

Keywords:WASTEWATER TREATMENT, MICROBIAL ECOLOGY, INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY, MICROBIAL PROTEIN

Disciplines:(Waste)water treatment processes, Recycling, Environmental microorganism biotechnology, Bioprocessing, bioproduction and bioproducts