Canadian researchers pioneer coal-based protein feed to cut carbon footprint

CANADA – A University of Alberta research team is turning coal into high-quality animal feed, reviving a decades-old idea with modern efficiency and climate-conscious ambitions.

After four years of work, the scientists are preparing for their first feeding trials using a fermentation process that converts methanol, a byproduct of coal gasification, into single-cell protein (SCP). 

If successful, the innovation could tap into local coal reserves while reducing the environmental impact of animal feed production.

The project is led by Dr. David Bressler, professor of bioresource technology and fermentation, who says the team’s work is attracting attention due to its potential to lower carbon emissions and meet the growing demand for sustainable protein sources. 

“It’s not new technology, but it’s been reimagined,” Bressler explained. “We’ve developed a more efficient fermentation technique that improves on the methods used in the 1970s.”

SCP, derived from methanol-loving bacteria, could serve as an alternative to fishmeal or soy-based feeds, offering high digestibility and a smaller environmental footprint. 

Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra, a professor of agriculture and environmental science involved in the study, said the protein’s quality makes it particularly promising for sensitive animals like piglets and poultry, which often require premium proteins to prevent digestive issues.

The process starts with coal gasification — heating underground coal seams to extract hydrogen and other gases. 

While the method does produce carbon emissions, those emissions are captured and stored to create low-carbon hydrogen. 

Methanol is then used as a byproduct to feed the bacteria in the fermentation process, creating a nutrient-rich SCP.

Bressler noted that their commercial partner approached the university to explore using surplus methanol from its energy operations, rekindling interest in SCP as a viable feedstock. “The emissions can be put to use instead of being wasted,” he said.

The timing appears ideal. A recent Global Market Insights report values the SCP market at US$10.36 billion in 2023, with projections climbing to US$22.5 billion by 2032. 

That growth is primarily driven by rising demand for sustainable food and animal feed protein.

Unlike genetically modified proteins, the bacteria in this project are naturally occurring and do not require genetic engineering. 

Early tests suggest the protein could rival conventional options in both nutrition and digestibility, with less need for land and fewer emissions from fertiliser and transport.

The team plans to complete digestibility trials within the year and begin growth performance studies over the next two years. 

If all goes well, this coal-to-feed innovation could mark a major step forward in sustainable agriculture — and breathe new life into an unlikely resource.

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