Experts Discover Method to Create New Protein for Animal Feed from Industrial Gas in Just 22 Seconds
Chinese scientists have developed a method to produce animal feed from carbon monoxide (CO) on an industrial scale – a breakthrough that could help the country reduce its dependence on imported soybeans, SCMP reported on October 31.
China imports a large amount of soybeans each year, mostly for animal feed. (Photo: EPA-EFE)
The new method utilizes emissions containing CO and CO2, a byproduct of industrial processes such as oil refining, to produce synthetic cell protein known as Clostridium autoethanogenum, according to the research team at Beijing Shoulang Biotechnology Company and the Animal Feed Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). The emissions undergo a series of processing steps including fermentation, oxidation, distillation, and dehydration, converting nitrogen and carbon into organic matter.
Previously, scientists were aware that protein could be produced in this manner. However, the Chinese research team stated that the speed and efficiency of their developed process make this method feasible on an industrial scale. Currently, they have the capability to produce tens of thousands of tons per year.
This new achievement will transform the traditional production of natural protein, providing a “sharp weapon” for the animal feed industry against soybean protein, while also serving the goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions and making industrial processes greener, according to Dai Xiaofeng, director of the Animal Feed Research Institute.
“If steel manufacturers, coal-fired power plants, petrochemical companies, and coal processing plants in China can adopt this technology, it will be a carbon revolution that improves the carbon cycle, carbon extraction and capture processes, yielding significant economic, social, ecological benefits, and strategic importance,” Dai said.
China currently cannot produce enough food to meet the rapidly growing livestock sector, leading to imports of over 100 million tons of soybeans each year, accounting for about 80% of total consumption. Producing 10 million tons of Clostridium autoethanogenum cell protein annually with the new technology would be equivalent to importing 28 million tons of soybeans, according to Xue Min, an expert at CAAS and a member of the research team.
The natural synthesis of protein typically occurs in plants or specific microorganisms, requiring natural photosynthesis and many complex biological processes. However, this process is very slow and inefficient, resulting in low protein content. Nevertheless, the research team stated that the new method can overcome these limitations and produce a high-protein substance in just 22 seconds.
