Page 8 - Think Grain Think Feed - Noc 2025 Issue

www.benisonmedia.com R&D Think Grain Think Feed - Volume 12 | Issue 1 | Nov 2025

R&D Spotlight: Transforming Waste

into Protein-Rich Animal Feed

Image Source: lamtak “My work shows that
organic residues can serve
as valuable raw material
for sustainable protein
production, helping to
close the loop in a circular
economy,”
— Clarisse Uwineza
One of her notable findings
was the fungus's surprisingly
strong growth on waste-
derived VFAs—even though
these acids can be toxic at
high concentrations. By
carefully regulating the
addition of VFAs, she
developed a method that
A pioneering research produces a biomass high in ensures safe, gradual fungal
project at the University of protein, minerals, and dietary growth with higher yields
Borås has demonstrated how fibre—and is easily digestible and improved product
organic waste—particularly for livestock. quality.
food waste and animal Uwineza's interest in Beyond animal feed, this
manure—can be biotechnology and fungal biomass shows
transformed into high-value sustainable waste potential for use in bio-
protein sources for animal management shaped the based materials, including
feed. Conducted within the project, which addresses one biodegradable plastics and
university's Resource of agriculture's growing leather alternatives. The
Recovery programme, the environmental challenges: research demonstrates
work highlights a promising the large volume of organic significant opportunities to
pathway for circular, residues generated from reduce emissions, optimise
sustainable livestock food systems. Using resource use, and support
nutrition. controlled anaerobic the rise of a circular
In her doctoral research, digestion, waste is broken bioeconomy.
Clarisse Uwineza explored down in oxygen-free The project contributes
how waste streams can be conditions, yielding VFAs as directly to several UN
converted into volatile fatty well as nitrogen and mineral Sustainable Development
acids (VFAs) through nutrients. These support the Goals, including SDG 12
anaerobic digestion. These growth of fungal biomass (Responsible Consumption
VFAs then serve as a that could replace and Production), SDG 13
nutrient-rich substrate for conventional protein sources (Climate Action), and SDG 2
cultivating Aspergillus such as soybean meal and (Zero Hunger).
oryzae, a fungus that fishmeal. Source: National Hog Farmer

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