Microbial Biomass Composition for Sustainable Fish Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fish feed sources, such as fish meal and fish oils, are finite, expensive, and environmentally unsustainable, while alternative plant and animal by-products face consumer acceptance issues and do not adequately provide essential omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids, leading to oxidation and decomposition problems in microbial-based feeds.
Innovation Solution
A microbial biomass composition with 15-95% protein and 25-55% DHA, grown through fermentation, is developed to provide a cost-effective, sustainable source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, using Thraustochytrids like Schizochytrium mangrovei, which reduces oxidation risks and meets fish nutritional needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If fish meal and fish oils are used as feed sources, then protein and omega-3 fatty acid content is high, but cost is high and environmental sustainability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the source parameter from marine animals to microorganisms (Thraustochytrids), fundamentally altering how protein and omega-3 fatty acids are produced. This microbial fermentation approach maintains high nutritional content while reducing dependency on finite fish resources, thereby lowering cost and improving sustainability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs microorganisms that can be rapidly cultivated and harvested through fermentation processes. These microbial cells serve as a renewable, cost-effective alternative to expensive fish meal, allowing continuous production without depleting marine ecosystems
2Ease of manufacture
If plant byproducts are used as alternative protein sources, then cost is reduced, but essential amino acid content is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from plant-based protein sources to microbial protein sources, changing the biochemical composition parameters. Thraustochytrid biomass naturally contains all essential amino acids in balanced proportions, matching or exceeding fish meal quality while maintaining cost advantages over traditional animal feeds
3Ease of manufacture
If microbial biomass is used as feed source, then sustainability and cost-effectiveness improve, but oxidation and decomposition of fatty acids occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary preservation actions by incorporating antioxidants during the microbial biomass production and processing stages. This preventive approach protects omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation before the feed reaches consumers, maintaining nutritional quality and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces antioxidant substances as intermediary protective agents between the omega-3 rich microbial biomass and environmental oxidants. These antioxidants act as mediators that sacrifice themselves to prevent oxidation of the valuable fatty acids, ensuring feed stability
4Quantity of substance
If DHA content in microbial biomass is increased, then nutritional value for fish improves, but susceptibility to oxidation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary protective measures by incorporating antioxidants during biomass production and processing. This advance protection is particularly important for high-DHA strains, creating a stable product that maintains both high nutritional value and oxidation resistance throughout storage and feeding periods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The microbial biomass composition offers a cost-effective, sustainable, and nutritionally balanced feed for fish, reducing production costs and oxidation risks, while ensuring high DHA content and meeting consumer protein requirements, thus addressing the limitations of existing fish feed sources.
Implementation Method 1
the microbial biomass is grown by fermentation for less than 4 days, preferably less than 2 days, at 25-39°C to produce a concentration of microbial biomass in the range of 100-350 g/l based on dry cell weight
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to food compositions comprising microbial biomass, the microbial biomass comprising:(a) 15-95 dry cell wt% protein; and(b) 25-55% DHA as a percentage of total fatty acids. The present invention also relates to a method for growing microbial biomass by fermentation at 25-39°C, for less than 4 days resulting in a yield of 100-350 g/l.