Chinese scientists transform coal into efficient animal feed protein

As the global demand for animal feed reaches unprecedented levels due to a surging global population, Chinese scientists have achieved a groundbreaking feat by converting coal into . This innovative method, developed by the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences ( ), utilizes methanol derived from coal, offering a low cost and highly efficient solution to address the escalating demand for animal feed.

Despite being a global leader in pig and aquaculture production, China faces a severe shortage of protein resources. With over 80 percent dependency on imported soybeans for animal feed and an annual import volume exceeding 100 million tonnes, the country has actively sought alternative, cost effective methods to ensure a stable protein supply.

Chinese researchers, led by , turned to biotechnological synthesis to address this challenge. The team explored various pathways, eventually focusing on industrial fermentation using methanol derived from coal as a raw material. This approach offers a cost effective alternative to traditional protein .

Professor Wu Xin's team successfully developed a protein production technology that surpasses the cost effectiveness of traditional methods. By utilizing the yeast strain Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris), which grows efficiently using methanol, the researchers achieved a remarkable conversion rate of 92 percent of the theoretical value.

This method boasts a dry cell weight and crude protein content of 120g/liter and 67.2 percent, respectively. Economic viability and environmental sustainability The high conversion rate of this coal to protein production method makes it economically attractive. Additionally, the process does not require arable land, remains unaffected by seasonal variations and climate, and is significantly more efficient than conventional agricultural practices.

"It is a thousand times more efficient than traditional farming practices," Wu told . The produced through this method contain a complete amino acid profile, vitamins, inorganic salts, fats, and carbohydrates. This nutritional richness positions them as viable partial replacements for fishmeal, soybeans, meat, and skimmed milk powder in various applications.

The research team has initiated industrial scale demonstrations, producing thousands of tons of protein in an undisclosed plant. While microbial proteins have shown promise, only a few products are on the market. The American company KnipBio, for instance, has received FDA approval for its KnipBio Meal, a high quality feed protein comparable to fishmeal derived from methanol.

Moving forward, Professor Wu Xin emphasized the need to enhance derived proteins' physiological functions and nutritional value. This strategic approach aims to reduce production costs further and increase the value of methanol protein, promoting its large scale production. In conclusion, this breakthrough in coal to protein conversion technology represents a significant stride toward addressing the global demand for animal feed in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner.

As China leads the way in this innovative solution, it marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of protein production worldwide..