Sustainable feed – when byproducts from agricultural and food production are upgraded
2025-05-09
"We took the residues from apple juice production, the pulp left after making juice, and protein liquid from potatoes, a byproduct of potato starch production – materials that often just become waste – and fed them into a specially designed bioreactor with a membrane for filtration. This membrane bioreactor transformed the byproducts into volatile fatty acids (VFA), a natural energy source for ruminants, such as cows and sheep", explained Milad Parchami.
The potential of this bio-based VFA mixture as a new ingredient in ruminant feed was then evaluated in two ways: first in laboratory experiments by simulating the environment in the animals' rumen, and then in a feeding study with sheep.
Less emission of methane
“Lab results showed that the VFA mixture can reduce methane production, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, improve feed digestibility, and increase total VFA concentrations in the simulated rumen environment. In the trials with sheep fed with VFA-supplemented feed, we saw increased levels of VFA in their rumen," said Milad Parchami.
"The research project points to a win-win situation, where agricultural and food byproducts are upgraded to valuable substances by being converted into sustainable feed and thereby can contribute to a greener future for livestock farming”, he concluded.
This project aligns with several key UN Sustainable Development Goals aimed at creating a more sustainable future: SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
Read more
Milad Parchami defended his thesis on 16 April in Resource Recovery at the University of Borås.
Read the doctoral thesis: Bioconversion of Agro-food byproducts to Volatile Fatty Acids: A Sustainable Approach for Ruminant Feed Supplementation
Principal Supervisor: Professor Mohammad Taherzadeh, University of Borås
Assistant Supervisor: Associate Professor Amid Mahboubi Soufiani, University of Borås
External reviewer: Professor Irini Angelidaki, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet