Calysta protein in salmon feed trials

CALYSTA, the company behind an alternative form of fish feed protein, is to partner with Norwegian research institution Nofima in large-scale salmon trials.
The trials, to be designed by Nofima, will begin in early 2019, California based Calysta announced today.
The company, which has backing from the feed giant Cargill, claims that its FeedKind protein, produced by natural fermentation, can improve growth rates, feed efficiency and fish health.
It provides the industry with the first scalable alternative protein requiring no wild caught fish or agricultural land, contributing to global food security, the company said.
‘FeedKind protein is a cost effective, sustainable feed ingredient for major farmed seafood species including salmon, trout and shrimp,’ said Allan LeBlanc, senior director and FeedKind product manager.
‘The aquaculture industry is actively seeking new solutions to reduce costs associated with biological challenges and environmental impact.
‘We look forward to working with Nofima, the industry’s preeminent research organisation, to address these compelling market demands.’
Mari Moren, director of research at Nofima, said: ‘We are eager to do research on FeedKind as we believe that this may be an example of new protein sources that can contribute to a more sustainable aquaculture.
‘Feedkind’s effect on salmon will be thoroughly tested at Nofima’s research facilities, along with the effects this protein may have on the physicochemical qualities of the feed pellet.’
FeedKind has been approved for sale in the European Union and several Asian countries. It has been shown to use 77-98 per cent less water and more than 98 per cent less land than alternative ingredients, such as soy or wheat proteins, said Calysta.
In salmon, trout, and shrimp trials, FeedKind has been shown to produce equivalent growth and survival rates when compared to a conventional fishmeal diet.