Fish waste proteins offer help to famine victims

By Rod Addy

- Last updated on GMT

Technology to extract protein from salmon waste has taken a leap forward
Technology to extract protein from salmon waste has taken a leap forward

Related tags Nutrition

Salmon waste could help treat famine victims thanks to novel technology – currently being trialled by Loch Duart – that can extract edible proteins from the leftovers.

The process has been developed by food biotech company Cells United in collaboration with biotechnology facilities and validation provider The GMP Group.

The GMP Group helped devise a unique, mobile, multi container-based extraction technology which can be used in several sites at the point of processing.

The fish waste will be used to produce Cellper, a new food grade, nutritional compound with the potential to revolutionise the treatment of malnutrition in people post-surgery who cannot otherwise digest protein.

Famine

Initial research also indicates Cellper, which can be produced in powder or liquid form, can contribute to muscle gain and physical strength in those suffering malnutrition caused by famine around the globe.

In addition to the nutritional benefits, any residual waste from the process can be used as biofuel to power the mobile plant which can operate to pharmaceutical and top level food quality standards.

The science also offered salmon processors a new revenue stream, said Loch Duart director Andy Bing: “The Cellper process, derived from technology developed for long-distance space travel, adds significant value to those parts of the salmon usually discarded or used for fertiliser and pet food.

“Now the full nutritional benefit, including that of the viscera, frames and heads, can be used to combat malnutrition in developing countries and to speed the recovery of many categories of hospital patients in the developed world. We are delighted to work with the GMP Group and Cells United to be part of this important breakthrough.”

'Vital tool'

The GMP Group ceo Frank Donegan called the new process “a vital new tool for aid agencies in their fight against global malnutrition”​.

Cells United md Andy Smith added: “We see an important future working with the aquaculture industry worldwide. We plan to spend the next 18 months working closely with The GMP Group and Loch Duart before establishing volume production which will need a minimum of 4,500t of salmon waste a year.

“Our relationship with The GMP Group and Loch Duart will generate a new channel for employment and continue as part of our permanent R&D ​[research and development] base in Dingwall, Scotland.”

Earlier this year, Norwegian firm Zymtech Group hit headlines for its work on scaling up a method of extracting protein from the waste streams of Atlantic salmon production​, based on Russian science.

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1 comment

Post Harvest Project

Posted by Maureen E Ellis,

See the "Post Harvest Project" website and their Facebook page to get information about an NGO promoting reduction of food waste and use of fish waste to improve people's access to better diet, currently in Ghana.

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