Protein production with purple bacteria for nutrient recovery in the potato processing industry

Flanders is a hotspot of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). This is the result of intensive food production, and nutrient losses along this fertilizer to food conversion chain. To recover lost nutrients, conversion into microbial protein (single cell protein) is a sustainably appealing scenario. Purple bacteria represent an interesting, yet underexplored source for microbial protein production and consumption. The potential of purple bacteria is derived from their metabolism as photoheterotrophs. Firstly, they have a near perfect organic carbon immobilization efficiency in comparison with other heterotrophs, decreasing greatly the carbon input needs. Secondly, purple bacteria also have a high growth rate with respect to other phototrophs, leading to a desirable low land usage footprint. Thirdly, their unique potential to grow on infra-red wavelengths allows a selectivity tool during cultivation. The research objective of this project is to acquire insights into the biotechnological production of purple bacteria in open communities on fermented wastewater from the potato processing industry. It is targeted to demonstrate that biomass enriched in purple bacteria can serve as an excellent feed ingredient for aquaculture.

Keywords:NUTRIENTS

Disciplines:Microbiology, Systems biology, Laboratory medicine