Synthetic proteins for sustainable animal feeding

Introduction

Half of the protein directed towards animal feeding is wasted due to incomplete protein digestibility and the distinct amino acid profiles found in both plants and animals. This generates serious pollution problems for our soils, aquifers, and atmosphere (e.g. livestock contribute to 87% of total ammonia emissions in agriculture).

Challenges in Protein Supply

Moreover, the EU faces significant challenges in providing adequate protein sources for animal feed, with 97% of soybean meal being imported at a cost of €1.5 billion per year. Hence, it is imperative to identify a sustainable solution for animal protein supply.

Project Overview

SYNFEED will demonstrate that by developing a new interdisciplinary technological approach, it is possible to generate proteins that can produce a radical paradigm change in the way animals are fed, highly reducing both the environmental impact and external dependence on raw materials of the EU.

Methodology

Using the broiler chicken as a model, SYNFEED will:

1. Generate new precision nutrition knowledge (proportion of amino acids to fulfill the requirements and dynamics of protein hydrolysis in the targeted species).
2. Design several candidate sequences using this nutritional information by protein engineering techniques (combining AI and molecular modeling).
3. Generate these candidates in cell-free systems adapted to the final host and evaluate them in a new iterative procedure maximizing expression and digestibility potential.
4. Optimize the sustainable biosynthesis of the selected protein with sustainable hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria strains.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the protein in broilers (productive performance, animal health and welfare, and reduction of nitrogen losses), and the sustainability of the SYNFEED solution with a life cycle assessment.

Impact

This ground-breaking approach will replace conventional animal feeding, positioning the EU as a leader in biosynthetic protein generation, promoting the emergence of biotech companies, and reducing livestock environmental impact.