Making Carbon Dioxide Into Protein For Innovative Animal Feed
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Horizon.
These are the first three paragraphs.
It’s common knowledge that proteins, a key component of human nutrition, are also essential for making animal feeds. Less well known is the uncomfortable fact that much of the protein we feed animals in Europe leads to deforestation and overfishing worldwide.
Biotechnology start-up Deep Branch have designed a biochemical transformation process that turns carbon dioxide (CO2) into a protein-rich powder for animals to eat.
The Deep Branch process converts carbon dioxide into a powder, called Proton, which has around 70% protein content. This is much higher than natural soy, which has around 40%.
Note.
- The technology is the brainchild of Peter Rowe, a PhD graduate in molecular biology of Nottingham University in the UK.
- Deep Branch appears to be a well-backed Anglo-Dutch company.
- Their backers are European and British household names and institutions.
- Drax, who have plenty of carbon dioxide, are also backers.
I believe that even if Deep Branch doesn’t succeed, then someone else will, with this technology.
The Anonymous Widower 
Interestingly, this week’s CountryFile had a peice on finding alternative protein source for animal feed [you might find it on iplayer] … I always think of a moment from ‘Logan’s Run’ on the subject hahaha…
Comment by PJS | October 20, 2022 |
I’ll look it up on iPlayer. Countryfile is usually pretty good on new technology.
When I worked for ICI, I worked for a section called Computer Techniques in ICI Plastics. We had a remit from the divisional board to be able to stick our nose into any project, we felt could benefit from our skills. One day after a trip to the North East my boss told me about the research that led to Quorn, which used waste CO2 which was to a high standard of purity. Using Google Maps, I’ve found a pipeline from CF Industries to the Quorn factory on Teesside. This pipeline also leads to a large greenhouse that grows tomatoes.
Comment by AnonW | October 20, 2022 |