SBIR Phase I: Novel Immuno-Nutrition Properties of a Single Cell Protein to Abate Soy-Induced Enteritis in Aquafeeds

这项小企业创新研究（SBIR）项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发大豆基海洋动物饲料的蛋白质替代品，通过有效的营养和提高动物福利来提高产量。水产饲料占生产成本的50%，在某些商业品种中，由于死亡造成的损失可高达50%。一种含有免疫营养特性的新型饲料成分可以解决这些效率低下的问题，可能被认为是该行业的游戏规则改变者。鱼类是最具资源效率的动物蛋白来源，是人类健康的食物来源，将是解决粮食安全问题的途径之一。由于地球表面有超过三分之二的面积是海洋，有人估计，如果管理得当，只要2%的海洋资源就能生产出足够全人类食用的食物。该SBIR一期项目建议扩展先前的研究，这些研究表明一种新的单细胞蛋白（SCP）是作为鱼粉替代品的重要候选物。此外，SCP还可能含有提高生长性能和存活率的功能特性。与传统饲料相比，先前的SCP测试支持饲料转化率（FCR）的提高，同时，在统计上相关的食肉鱼虾存活率的提高。还观察到SCP减轻了与饮食相关的继发性疾病并发症，如胃肠炎。由于水产养殖业有数百种可供销售的品种，而且这个行业只有50年的历史，对水生动物营养的集体理解还处于起步阶段。在这个项目中，一种食肉的Seriola物种将被用作模式生物，作为鲑鱼之外的额外参考点。SCP的目标成分将被增强（或删除），以确定主要免疫营养候选物对动物消化更完全输入物（如豆粕）的能力的影响。SCPs在新兴商业鱼饲料中的有效性尚未得到充分阐明，本研究的结果可能对低成本饲料配方和优化营养具有重要意义。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to develop a protein replacement for soy-based marine animal diets to improve yield through effective nutrition and enhanced animal welfare. Aquafeeds represent 50% of the cost of production, and losses due to mortality can be as high as 50% in certain commercial species. A novel feed ingredient that contains immuno-nutritional properties to address these inefficiencies could be considered a game-changer to the industry. Fish are the most resource-efficient sources of animal protein, a healthy source of food for people, and will be one of the ways to address food security. As the surface of the planet is greater than two-thirds ocean, one estimate suggests, if managed properly, just 2% of this vast resource could produce enough food for all of mankind. This SBIR Phase I project proposes to expand previous studies that suggested a novel single cell protein (SCP) is a significant candidate to serve as a fishmeal alternative. In addition, SCP also may contain functional properties that improve growth performance and survival. The SCP tested previously supported improved feed conversion ratios (FCR) as compared to conventional diets, while at the same time, statistically relevant improvements in survival of carnivorous fish and shrimp. It also was observed that SCP relieved secondary disease complications associated with diets, such as gastro-enteritis. With hundreds of marketable species in aquaculture, and an industry that is just 50 years old, the collective understanding of aquatic animal nutrition is in its infancy. In this project, a carnivorous Seriola species will be used as a model organism to serve as an additional reference point beyond salmon. Targeted components of the SCP will be enhanced (or deleted) to determine the effect of leading immuno-nutritional candidates on the animals' ability to digest more completely inputs like soy bean meal (SBM). The effectiveness of SCPs in emerging commercial fish diets has yet to be fully elucidated, and the results of this study may have implications towards lower-cost feed formulations and optimized nutrition.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.