KnipBio Inc. announced it has developed a new, lower-cost method to create its single-cell protein aquafeed KnipBio Meal.
Through research, the company has developed a way to create KnipBio Meal from “condensed distillers’ solubles” (CDS), a bioproduct of the ethanol fermentation process. Currently, CDS is a waste-stream product that costs just USD 100 (EUR 87.80) per ton and is usually sprayed on animal feed.
“The economics of producing KnipBio Meal from CDS are truly compelling. The global biofuels industry produces more than 2.5 million tons of CDS each year as a byproduct of ethanol fermentation,” KnipBio CEO Larry Feinberg said. “When the same CDS is upcycled to produce KnipBio Meal, the resulting single-cell proteins sells for significantly more.”
The product, being a byproduct from an existing industry, is also sustainable given its currently either sprayed on feed for animals or thrown away.
“CDS is cheap, there’s a lot of it, and because it is a waste stream, it is inherently sustainable with virtually no environmental footprint,” Feinberg said.
While the product is cheap, the end result of KnipBio’s R&D has resulted in an aquafeed protein that still has nutritional benefits, at a cost competing with traditional sources of feed.
“The composition analysis indicates KBM derived from CDS has a protein content equal or greater than fishmeal and contains none of the anti-nutritional factors often found in plant proteins,” Feinberg said. “This makes it a potential game changer for the aquaculture industry, which will now have access to an affordable, sustainable, and traceable alternative to fishmeal and soybean meal.”
According to a release from the company, KnipBio has been researching how to produce aquafeed from CDS since 2018. Now that the process has been figured out, the company plans to begin research on how to effectively scale-up production.
“Now that we have succeeded in upcycling CDS, we are shifting from laboratory research to commercialization and scale-up work has already begun,” Feinberg said. “Additionally, results from initial animal feed tests indicate KnipBio Meal is an excellent protein source for both fish and crustaceans. While I expect continued challenges as we progress, we are confident we will achieve our goals.”
