Scottish start-up helps alternative protein research
SALMOSIM, a salmon simulator start-up, has secured its first commercial contract with California-based Calysta, supporting trials for a sustainable alternative protein source that could be rolled out across the global aquaculture industry.
Using a gut simulator that mimics the digestive tract of Atlantic salmon, SalmoSim will conduct a trial of Calysta’s single-cell feed ingredient FeedKind protein, which is made by fermenting natural gas. FeedKind has been developed to meet the growing global demand for protein and is designed to be a sustainable substitute for proteins such as fishmeal and soy, which are currently widely used in seafood production.
The SalmoSim team will use the gut simulator equipment to support Calysta’s product quality program while also testing a number of variables in support of new product development. Results from the simulation, taking place at the University of Glasgow, will provide Calysta with valuable data on digestibility comparing FeedKind in SalmoSim to existing in vivo data. In vivo trials can cost up to £150,000 each time.
Dr Martin Llewellyn, founder of SalmoSim and senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow, said:“Our gut simulation system provides a powerful tool for carrying out basic and applied research into fish digestion and we’re pleased to be supporting Calysta with the development of its alternative protein… SalmoSim can help feed manufacturers with an important pre-screening phase, allowing them to eliminate unviable options without the time and expense associated with full-scale tests.”
Calysta is currently the only company in the world able to produce protein from gas at scale. Its Calysseo 50/50 joint venture with Adisseo is building the world’s first commercial FeedKind production facility in Chongqing, China, with 20,000 tonnes of capacity coming online in 2022.
The SalmoSim gut simulator was first developed as part of a collaborative research project that began in 2016, funded in part by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC).The consortium, led by the University of Glasgow, included Nofima,Alltech and Mowi, with the Marine Institute and University College Cork both involved in a linked project.
As well as supporting trials for alternative feed sources, SalmoSim could be used to tackle a range of significant challenges in the aquaculture sector, including trialling novel approaches to limit the impact of sea lice.The company is also exploring the potential for building additional simulators for other fish species.