Driving Aquafeed Sustainability Through Microbial Protein Innovation

As the aquaculture industry continues to expand, the demand for sustainable, cost-effective protein sources has become paramount. DeNova, a Halifax-based biotech company, has developed cutting-edge technology to produce a sustainable microbial protein for aquafeeds. Recognizing Onda’s state-of-the-art aquaculture facility and expertise in aquaculture nutrition, DeNova partnered with Onda to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their product. Together, they have conducted multiple in vivo digestibility and feeding trials for Atlantic salmon, producing extruded pellets in-house with Onda’s pilot-scale extruder. These trials have shown that DeNova’s microbial protein is highly digestible, supports salmon growth and health, and integrates seamlessly with other aquafeed ingredients.

The DeNova Innovation

DeNova is driven by a vision to nourish both animals and humanity while reducing environmental impact. The company’s proprietary cultivation technology platform produces a sustainable, high-yield single cell protein product from the fermentation of a non-GMO methylotrophic bacterial strain rich in protein (>80% crude protein on a dry matter basis).

With its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of aquafeed and transform how protein is sourced, DeNova’s platform has garnered significant attention and funding from organizations such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), NRC-IRAP, and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. These investments have enabled DeNova to scale production and pioneer sustainable aquafeed solutions.

The Opportunity

In the aquaculture industry, the adoption of new feed ingredients requires robust scientific and practical validation. For DeNova, demonstrating the safety, digestibility, and efficacy of their microbial protein was crucial to gaining regulatory approval and industry confidence. They needed a research partner capable of generating reliable, actionable data to help propel their product to market.

Why DeNova Chose Onda

DeNova’s relationship with Onda was built on trust and a shared commitment to innovation. Initially, the National Research Council (NRC) conducted in vitro digestibility screenings of DeNova’s product. When the time came for in vivo studies, Onda’s reputation as a trusted research partner was affirmed by recommendations from the NRC. Onda’s expertise in aquaculture nutrition, combined with its ability to deliver customized, high-quality research solutions, made it the ideal collaborator.

How Onda Delivered

At Onda, we prioritize understanding our clients’ unique challenges and objectives. For DeNova, we tailored our research approach to align with their goals, ensuring each study was relevant and impactful. Using our pilot-scale extruder, we developed test diets incorporating DeNova’s microbial protein and conducted a series of controlled feeding trials on Atlantic salmon. Throughout the process, we emphasized transparency, delivering comprehensive reports and actionable insights that DeNova could trust for decision-making.

This approach not only demonstrated the efficacy of DeNova’s product but also strengthened the partnership, with DeNova returning for additional projects and engaging in ongoing discussions about future innovations.

The Results

The trials conducted at Onda confirmed that DeNova’s microbial protein is a viable alternative protein source for aquafeeds. Key findings include:

• High Digestibility: The protein was efficiently utilized by Atlantic salmon.

• Optimal Inclusion Levels: Diets with up to 20% microbial protein were safely incorporated without adverse effects on fish health or fillet quality.

• Compatibility: DeNova’s microbial protein blended seamlessly with other common aquafeed ingredients to produce high-quality compound feeds.

Conclusion

This collaboration underscores the transformative potential of partnerships in driving sustainable solutions for aquaculture. By leveraging DeNova’s innovative technology and Onda’s research expertise, we have contributed to advancing sustainable aquafeeds that benefit the environment, the aquaculture industry, and future generations.