UniProtein®
Animals typically require a diet containing proteins with the 20 essential and non-essential amino acids. A long range of proteins can be acquired from plants which act as an important source of carbon and nitrogen for animals as well as for human beings. Plant proteins have a low content of the essential amino acids methionine and lysine, and these must be added to the animal feed. Bacteria, fungi or products acquired from animals (i.e. fishmeal) have proteins with a ”perfect” amino acid profile and can thus be used as a full diet for animals.
UniProtein® is an example of a nutritionally good protein source NOT genetically manipulated.
UniProtein® is approved according to Council Directive 95/33/EC, 10 July 1995.
The protein content in the biomass is on the level of soya and whey concentrates (approx. 71+% in dry form), and no further concentration of the protein content is planned. Apart from protein the biomass contains fat (~10%), ash (~7%), carbohydrate (~7%), fibres (< 1%) and nucleic acids.
UniProtein® is well suited as direct feed for animals with a short life span. If it is used as additive for humans or for animals with long life spans, the UniProtein® content of nucleic acids will become a problem, since it can cause kidney and bladder stones. To offset this the nucleic acids are neutralised through hydrolysis with an insignificant loss of protein. After this process the product can be used as an additive for human food. The taste is neutral, and even a - nutritionally very poor – diet of corn porridge can be turned into an excellent diet.
Other products that can be derived from the hydrolysed primary product are flavour enhancers, which can replace the now forbidden ”Bovril” derived from bone meal. A long range of adhesives can also be produced from the hydrolysed product giving Unibio A/S access to a profitable market outside the food sector.
UniProtein has been tested as feed for salmon, calves, pigs and chickens with positive results in terms of accept and growth. In addition, an increased resistance to disease has been observed in salmon fed with UniProtein.
Advantages of UniProtein: Advantageous amino acid composition. Sterile product. Homogeneous quality regardless of season/climate. Good durability. No genetic modification.
Plan for the improvement of product exploitation:
Increased protein content
a. By process control and optimisation
b. By adding enzymes
c. By controlling the growth rate of the organism
Nucleic acids
a. Can be removed by treatment to below 1%
b. Can be extracted and controlled
The product as an intermediate
a. Extraction of amino acid
b. Enzymes
c. Medicine industry
d. Industrial products
e. Mixing in foodstuffs
