The recognition marks an important international milestone for the initiative. UVigo scientists aim to revolutionize aquaculture feed production
The European project AlFunFeed, led by Professor José Luis Soengas of the Marine Research Centre (CIM) at the University of Vigo, has been recognized by UNESCO as a Decade Action – Project under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. This global UN initiative, coordinated by UNESCO, provides a framework for promoting collaborative projects, research and actions involving governments, scientists, NGOs, companies and civil society. Its goal is to foster concrete scientific, innovation and policy initiatives to protect and restore the world’s oceans. As a result, AlFunFeed now joins this international portfolio of scientific initiatives contributing to these objectives.
Revolutionizing aquaculture feed production
AlFunFeed aims to transform aquaculture feed production through innovative biotechnological processes. Specifically, the project seeks to develop new feed formulations by replacing plant proteins with proteins obtained from single-cell fungi grown through the fermentation of macroalgae waste. This approach will help make the aquaculture sector more sustainable while reducing the carbon footprint associated with fish feed production.
The project is funded through the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) call under the Horizon Europeprogramme, with a total budget of €1.23 million. It is coordinated by the Fish Physiology research group (PhysToFish) at the CIM, a member of the Xunta de Galicia’s CIGUS Network, and is the only project in this call led by a Spanish research team.
A circular economy approach
AlFunFeed embraces a circular economy model by reusing discarded macroalgae to produce these proteins, creating an alternative, nutritious ingredient for feeding commercially important carnivorous species such as the European seabass. The results are expected to be transferable to other key aquaculture species, including turbot, gilthead seabream and salmon.
The research team is currently close to obtaining the first batch of single-cell fungal protein produced through this process. Experimental fish diets based on this raw material will be formulated during July, when the first controlled feeding trials are also expected to begin.
This alternative has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of feed production, improve fish health and welfare, and ensure a more stable supply of feed ingredients by reducing dependence on seasonal or extractive resources.
A multidisciplinary European consortium
In addition to the CIM, the consortium includes the Galician biotechnology company ODS Protein, represented by Iria Varela, together with three research groups from the Università Politecnica delle Marche (Italy), led by Ike Olivotto; CIIMAR (Portugal), represented by Benjamin Costas; and the University of Thessaly (Greece), under the leadership of Kostas Kormas. The project also benefits from the collaboration of the Italian Federation of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Federpesca), representing civil society, as well as the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN) and the Regional Ministry of the Sea of the Xunta de Galicia, representing the public administration.
The CIM holds the CIGUS distinction awarded by the Xunta de Galicia, recognizing the quality and impact of its research. Its activities are co-funded by the European Union through the 2021–2027 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) Programme.
Source: DUVI
