ATIPECA

Context

The aquaculture sector is continuously working on various strategies to improve its sustainability. In the area of nutrition, they are trying to incorporate alternative sources of plant-based protein to replace extractive fishmeal. However, this is not without its challenges. One of these is the way in which essential minerals for fish (such as calcium and phosphorus) are provided, which when derived from plant sources are difficult to digest and therefore less available.

Objective

ATIPECA’s main objective is to produce a mineral ingredient from fish bones from the fish processing industry. This new raw material, rich in organic phosphorus, would be highly bioavailable to fish, leading to more sustainable aquaculture feeds.

Innovative character

One of the main pillars for achieving ATIPECA’s objectives is the use of innovative technologies. In this project, the RINA Jet Flash Dryer will be used; a piece of equipment that allows the handling and drying of temperature-sensitive agri-food by-products with high energy efficiency.

Given the difficulty of homogenising and disintegrating some organic matrices, such as fish bones, this technology will be adapted to extend the processing capacity to a wider range of heterogeneous and difficult to disintegrate food matrices.

Expected impact

ATIPECA will increase the value of fish bones, which will improve the competitiveness of the marine ingredients sector by reducing the ash content of fishmeal and diversifying its product range. On the other hand, the production of a highly bioavailable mineral ingredient for the formulation of aquaculture diets will contribute to the sustainability of the activity. All this will contribute to a more efficient and sustainable food chain.