The Problem
Fish protein is the most resource-efficient animal protein, but we are approaching the limits of sustainable wild fish harvesting. According to the Food and Agriculture Organizations, only 10% of the oceans fish populations are capable of supporting more intense fishing, almost a third are being exploited at unsustainable levels, and the remaining populations are considered fully exploited. Aquaculture offers the best option for meeting mankind's increasing demands for animal protein while helping relieve the pressure on wild fish stocks. Currently 50% of the fish we eat comes from aquaculture and that number is expected to grow to 70% in the next 20 years. Aquaculture relies heavily on the use of forage fish as a main source of protein. These forage fish populations are already being overexploited and will not be able to support the growing demand from the aquaculture industry. There is a desperate need for a sustainable, environmentally sound, and nutritious alternative to fishmeal.
Our Proposal
KnipBio has developed a technology platform that uses a set of naturally occurring microbe strains to convert ethanol, methanol and other abundant, low-cost feed stocks into premium, nutritious, single-cell protein called KnipBio Meal (KBM). KBM combines the attributes of protein-packed fishmeal and carotenoids into a single effective, affordable feed replacement that offers a transformative breakthrough in the future of responsible and sustainable aquaculture. Our feeds can be tailored for specific fish species because our technology platform enables us to create strains of our microbe that produce high value products like taurine, carotenoids, PHB and other additives that conventional fishmeal does not include.
We Assume that...
The aquaculture industry will turn to fishmeal alternatives as a source of feed because forage fish cannot meet the demand.
Fish will continue to be an important and growing source of protein for humanity. This growth must come through increased aquaculture.
Constraints to Overcome
Operationally, we must achieve commercial-scale fermentation. This is scheduled for 2018.
Current Work
1. Develop additional strains of our bacteria that have the capability to produce taurine, prebiotics, carotenoids, and other important, potentially nutritionally-limiting ingredients. 2. Scale up fermentation of out single cell protein to near commercial scale. 3. Continue to run trials with our various strains to ensure they are nutritionally advantaged 4. Work with industry partners on a variety of applications for our SCP
Current Needs