California, USA-based sustainable life science firm Calysta, Inc. has announced plans to launch a proven new fish feed ingredient that can reduce the aquaculture industry’s reliance on fish stocks sourced from the world’s oceans.

FeedKind™ Protein is expected to be introduced to the Scottish and Norwegian aquaculture sectors in 2018.

FeedKind Protein is a high quality microbial protein that provides a cost-competitive alternative to conventional fishmeal. The protein, produced with minimal land and water use, is non-GMO and approved in the EU for all fish and livestock species.

Alan Shaw, Ph.D., President and CEO, said: “Calysta is committed to creating alternative ingredients and feeds that minimize impact on the environment and contribute to food security, based on a strong intellectual property platform.

“FeedKind Protein can replace fishmeal and soy protein with a nutritious, naturally occurring protein, and offer consumers a new option that is sustainable and healthy. It can also contribute to the aquaculture industry’s need for sustainable products to meet increasing global demand for new sources of protein.”

FeedKind Protein will be manufactured using a natural proprietary fermentation process, a production method similar to that used to produce yeast-extract sandwich spreads. Studies have confirmed FeedKind Protein’s nutritional value, based on criteria such as animal growth and health. Calysta expects to introduce FeedKind™ Aqua first for the aquaculture industry, to be followed by additional FeedKind products for the livestock market.