Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) in Singapore and Leong Hup Singapore Pte Ltd have jointly developed a process for reusing waste from poultry farming.
Major breakthrough
One of the major breakthroughs is to replace petroleum-derived synthetic polymers, which emit greenhouse gases from production, use and disposal, with eggshells made from chicken feather keratin. “This project has made it clear that feathers are no longer considered waste. Instead, they should be considered a source of valuable raw materials and the value of raw materials, parts and products. It should be seen as an integral part of the circular economy that is not lost as much as possible, “said Professor William Chen, Director of Food Science at NTU. Co-head of technology programs and industry collaboration. He added that the use of chicken feather fiber in composites is a source of new, inexpensive, environmentally friendly and recyclable materials.
Related article: Alternative meat business in China is booming – Roberto Guidetti, CEO of Vitasoy
Cell based chicken
On the other hand, reusing poultry blood to grow cell-based chicken could be a step towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the food industry. £ 444.4 billion of unwanted chicken feathers are discarded annually by poultry processors. This by-product is usually buried in landfills or incinerated, both of which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Materials made from chicken feathers are more durable and flexible than materials made from petroleum-derived synthetic polymers, so the newly discovered method will be a more environmentally friendly alternative.
Cell based meat
Another breakthrough is the successful conversion of biological waste, such as blood and bone, into an alternative, inexpensive medium that can be used for cell-based meat culture. Poultry blood and animal and food processing by-products are rich in organic matter and contain high levels of growth factors and other nutrients. Organic waste from poultry processing contains amino acids, vitamins, glucose, inorganic salts and growth factors, making it ideal as a cell culture medium for culturing cell-based meat.
NTU scientists have also succeeded in extracting these nutrients and developing a solution that can be used to grow laboratory-grown meat animal cells. Recent studies have shown that serum derived from poultry blood and biological material contains similar concentrations of growth factors and other nutrients, so it was taken from fetal bovine serum as a medium for culturing cell-based meat. It has also been shown that it may replace it.
Singapore’s Food Security Goals Include Alternative Proteins
Meanwhile, since 2021, Singapore’s Food Story R & D Program has been a sustainable city food production, future food and food security program. We have funded research projects on science and innovation. According to Dr. Andrew Wan, Principal Investigator at the Singapore Food Biotechnology Innovation Institute (SIFBI), will use this grant to help researchers, technology providers, and potential users with innovative solutions in the alternative protein industry. A * STAR SIFBI scientists are working with other laboratories to develop new non-animal cell proliferation techniques that can ultimately reduce the cost of cultured meat.
Textured methods are used by food process engineers to convert proteins from alternative sources into textiles that look and feel like meat. Efforts have been made to quantify and thereby improve the digestive, nutritional and sensory properties of proteins. All this is done for the purpose of matching, if not exceeding the quality of what we call meat.
More innovation: Fungi based seafood innovation
Good Meat
Singapore has made great strides, especially in meat agriculture. It was the first country in the world to receive regulatory approval for its cultured meat product, Good Meat, and is now the largest facility in Asia to produce the same. Earlier this month, Good Meat held a groundbreaking ceremony for a S $ 61 million R & D and manufacturing facility in Bedok Food City.
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