Environmental performance of microbial-protein based feed in relation to planetary boundaries
Abstract
Microbial protein (MP) has been proposed as a more sustainable protein source compared to soymeal or fishmeal. However, it is not known how MP-based feed compares to alternative protein sources in a life cycle perspective, and whether it can be considered sustainable in absolute terms. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) combined with Planetary Boudnaries we showed that environmental performance of MP-based feed is generally comparable to that of soybean. We also showed and that in most, but not all, cases impact scores are within the assigned share of the safe operating space. Environmental performance of MP-based feed was found to depend largely on downstream process, namely production of energy that is used for centrifuging and drying. Our results suggest that despite being relatively immature technology, heterotrophic MP-based feed has the potential to become sustainable in absolute terms.
Info
Conference Paper, 2020
UN SDG Classification
DK Main Research Area
Science/Technology
