30/04/14: From Granite to Gold in Phosphorus Production

Filleting waste contains high levels of phosphorus, but a large fraction
is bound in poorly soluble mineral complexes in fish bones. Salmon have a
limited ability to digest phosphorus from fish bones, and most of this
phosphorus in the feed is therefore excreted in an undigested state into the
 environment.

Biotechnology innovation

The food research institute Nofima has long been working to develop
biotechnology solutions that can make the nutrients in fish bones more readily
available for salmon.

Senior researcher Sissel Albrektsen and her colleagues at Nofima have
worked on a project financed by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF). They have managed to garner a large fraction of the
phosphorus present in herring filleting waste.

“It’s difficult to obtain the phosphorus present in herring filleting
waste, which has a
lower content of bone than other raw materials that we have experience of
using. But we managed it after careful adaptation of a method we use for other
marine raw materials to process and acid treat filleting waste. Our results
show that herring filleting waste may be a significant source of phosphorus
with this technology,” says Albrektsen.

As much as 90% of the phosphorus in the herring bones can be obtained
using this method. This is compatible with previous experience from other fish
species, and salmon fry and smolt can use this source of phosphorus very
efficiently. 

An excellent source for salmon smolt

“We have shown that salmon fry during start-up feeding and salmon smolt
after release to the sea can both take up and use the phosphorus extremely
well,” says Albrektsen. “The results suggest, however, that salmon fry are
slightly more sensitive than salmon smolt with respect to the neutralising
agent that is used as buffer during the production. We need to examine this
more closely, and it will be important in whether commercial production can be
successful.

The phosphorus in fish bone hydrolysate can be absorbed from the
intestines just as other readily soluble phosphorus salts used in salmon feed.
The results for rate of growth, phosphorus digestibility and the amount of
phosphorus from the feed that is stored in the fish all show that this is the
case. Our experiments have also shown that the skeleton develops normally when
the fish obtain sufficient phosphorus from the diet, and this is very important
to avoid deformities in farmed salmon.”

Environmental and financial benefits

Phosphorus is a limited resource and Albrektsen points out that we will
have to find more efficient ways of using the resources we have.

“We have shown that upgrading bone raw material, which has sometimes been seen as hazardous waste from
the production of fishmeal, has a large potential and may be enormously
beneficial as an ingredient in feed. There are indications that fish bone
hydrolysate has further positive properties, such as an ability to improve the
digestibility of several other nutrients and to give improved growth. We plan
to continue to work on this in order to understand fully the potential of the
new ingredients.” 

Commercial use

The method is not yet ready for industrial use, but Nofima is involved
in the Forny project, with the goal of commercialising the new technology.

“We do know that the production process for acid hydrolysis requires
relatively small and simple changes in a company, and the requirements for
increased expertise to handle the new processes and product lines are also
relatively small. The investment required is also reasonable, particularly if
the new production lines are located at existing fish landing or fishmeal
production facilities. The greatest investment is needed during the initial
phase,” concludes Albrektsen.

Phosphorus •    The EU has identified a reduced availability of phosphorus as one of the greatest challenges facing Europe in the 21st century. •    The production of phosphorus is currently controlled by China, the US and Morocco, where the largest sources are located. •    Even though large reserves of phosphates are found in the Earth's soil and under the oceans, reserves that can be economically exploited are limited - and this means that measures must be taken to eliminate the way phosphorus is currently overused and wasted. •    There is a huge global requirement for phosphorus: demand is high, particularly for use in fertilizers (90%), and is growing year by year. •    It has been estimated that the volume of marine by-products from the pelagic fish sector, farmed fish and the fishing industry in Norway amounts to approximately 929,000 tonne (2012). Phosphorus from pelagic fish alone corresponds to 60-70% of the amount of phosphorus that is currently added to salmon feed. Sources: Nofima SINTEF The Phosphorous Platform of the EU

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About Nofima

Nofima, the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, was established in 2008. Nofima is one of the largest institutes in Europe for applied research within the fields of fisheries, aquaculture and food.

The institute has around 380 employees and has an annual turnover of about NOK 530 million.

We carry out internationally recognised research and develop solutions that provide a competitive edge throughout the value chain.

The head office is located in Tromsø, and the research divisions are located in Averøy, Bergen, Sunndalsøra, Stavanger, Tromsø and Ås.

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