Researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), and Temasek Polytechnic have made a breakthrough in sustainable fish farming by replacing half of the fishmeal in Asian seabass diets with a “single cell protein” derived from microbes in soybean processing wastewater. This innovative approach aims to promote more eco-friendly practices in aquaculture and reduce dependence on wild-caught fish for feed.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, highlights the potential of using microbial protein cultivated from food processing wastewater as a sustainable alternative to traditional fishmeal. This is a significant step towards addressing the environmental challenges associated with fish farming, such as overfishing and waste generation.
Dr. Ezequiel Santillan, a senior research fellow at NTU’s Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), emphasised the importance of this research in advancing sustainable aquaculture practices. By harnessing microbial communities from soybean processing wastewater, the study demonstrates the feasibility of producing single cell protein as a viable alternative protein source in fish feed, contributing to the sustainability of the aquaculture industry.
The researchers’ waste-to-resource approach not only supports food security but also aligns with the principles of a circular economy, aiming to minimise waste and maximise resource utilisation. This innovative method offers a promising solution to the challenges of waste reduction and resource scarcity faced by the aquaculture sector.
In their experiments, the research team successfully cultivated single cell protein from soybean processing wastewater in laboratory-scale bioreactors. They then fed two groups of young Asian seabass with different diets—one containing conventional fishmeal and the other a combination of fishmeal and single cell protein. The results showed that both groups exhibited similar growth rates, suggesting that single cell protein could effectively replace fishmeal in aquaculture diets without compromising fish health or growth.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to conduct further trials to explore the potential of single cell protein in other aquaculture species and to evaluate its long-term effects on fish health and growth. This research represents a significant advancement towards sustainable aquaculture practices and contributes to the development of a more resilient and environmentally friendly food production system.