Development of bioreactor based cultivation system for production of green fish feed

To match food availability to a growing global population new resource efficient cropping systems need to be developed. Vegetables and fish are nutritious foods that serve as a basis in many parts of the world. These food items can be co-cultured in aquaponic systems. Circulation of nutrients in aquaponic systems reduces emissions of nutrients to the outdoor environment and thus reduces the risk of eutrophication. Fish feed quality and quantity are critical parameters in aquaponic systems. Today's fish feed based on fishmeal, which results in major environmental pressures and high costs. Thus, there is a need for alternative environmentally friendly feed sources. Plant protein has been used in aquaculture but its use in aquaponics is still limited. The project considers the development of innovative systems for production of plant protein for use in aquaponic systems. We focus on legumes as the protein source and large scale bioreactor for plant cell cultures to be used as fish feed. The results are expected to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly, profitable and cost-efficient strategies for the production of fish feed.

The project is funded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.

Project leader: Sammar Khalil