August 4, 2023

Indian university's new project converts organic waste into fish feed protein

The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) in India has embarked on an new project aimed at producing fish meal from organic waste, The Hindu reported.

This experimental project, undertaken in partnership with Amala Eco Clean Private Limited, seeks to extract protein essential for fish feed from organic waste using black soldier fly larvae. The organic waste will be meticulously separated at its source to facilitate this initiative.

Dr Pradeep Kumar, vice-chancellor of Kufos, announced the project's launch on Monday, highlighting its collaboration with Amala Eco Clean, a company specialising in organic waste management based in Alappuzha.

This cooperative effort has been formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Dinesh Kaippilly, Kufos' Registrar, and Joseph Niclavose, director of Amala Eco Clean Private Limited, in the presence of Dr Pradeep Kumar.

The project's potential success in its pilot phase could lead to its expansion across all districts, according to the vice-chancellor. He highlighted the project's role in offering a lasting solution to Kerala's most prominent social challenge: organic waste management. Furthermore, the project aims to create a range of high-value export-oriented products derived from soldier fly larvae, along with exploring alternative applications for the larvae beyond feed production, explained Pradeep Kumar.

Kufos had previously partnered with the Texas-based industrial biotechnology firm Meridian Biotech to produce and test protein-rich fishmeal using indigenous non-fish raw materials. This collaboration focuses on addressing critical challenges and elevating the quality of aquaculture products.

In the context of India, the excessive fishing of juveniles for fishmeal production poses a significant threat to fish habitats and marine ecosystems. The industrial production of fishmeal utilizing single-cell proteins offers the potential to curtail this detrimental practice and safeguard marine biodiversity.

-      The Hindu