Food Waste for Feed (KB-12-006.04-002)

The aim of the proposed research is upgrading of ‘food waste’ into nutritionally and healthy ingredients for animal nutrition.

In 2012, a desk study was performed on valorisation of organic side-streams originating from the coffee industry. In a previously conducted investigation on different side-streams it was concluded that coffee side-streams contain functional properties that may enhance health. In 2012, an in vitro adhesion test was conducted to study the effect of different coffee fractions on intestinal health. The general conclusion from these experiments was that coffee side-streams of roasted coffee can bind E.coli (with F5-fimbriae) pathogens.

In a cooperative project “Insects as a sustainable feed ingredient for pig and poultry diets” it was reported that insects can play an important role in converting low valuable biomass, side-streams from the food chain, into high valuable nutrients (e.g. amino acids/protein) and health enhancing effects for feed and food (Veldkamp et al., 2012. Insects as a sustainable feed ingredient in pig and poultry diets - a feasibility study. Report 638 Wageningen UR Livestock Research.)

The conversion of side-streams in insect protein requires more knowledge on the conversion of proteins from side-streams into insect protein and the whole insect chain in which side-streams will be upgraded. The availability of organic materials, the digestion of these materials by insects, the inoculation on the material, the amount of eggs per amount of material will be investigated. The chemical composition of insect protein will also be determined in the studies to evaluate these for feed ingredient for livestock.

In experiments the conversion of organic side-streams (e.g. coffee side-streams) by insects will be investigated and also the nutritional value will be evaluated for use in animal feed.