SBIR-STTR Award

Growth of alternative protein sources is poised to accelerate potentially claiming up to a third of the protein market by 2054 profoundly affecting agriculture food technology end products and the animal feed market. Here interdisciplinary research is proposed to increase the efficiency and efficacy of US-based aquaculture through development of nutritious cost-effective alternatives to traditional marine protein feedstuffs. This will entail development of protein concentrates and complete diets from tuna processing wastes and co-products such as low ant nutrient soybean meal and gossypol-free cottonseed meal by applying novel extrusion technology. The most promising products will be evaluated for nutrient digestibility and production potential based on assessment of growth performance and physiological capacity via trials conducted under controlled laboratory conditions with red drum at Texas A&M University and with yellowfin tuna at the Achotines Laboratory using well-established standardized protocols. The developed technologies (manufacturing techniques and feedstuff products) will be subjected to economic analysis and extended to various user groups including seafood processors feed manufacturers and aqua culturists through established networks. Thus the developed products from this project will make more efficient use of tuna processing wastes and other co-products to replace fishmeal and other costly components of aquaculture diets increasing the cost-effectiveness of aquaculture production while limiting the expense and logistical constraints associated with disposal of seafood processing wastes.