Energetic and Economic Evaluation of Zero-Waste Fish Co-Stream Processing.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and biochemical engineering
• Sustainable resource management
• Marine biotechnology

Background:

• Fish processing generates substantial co-streams with untapped potential.
• Current methods for utilizing fish co-streams are often inefficient or unsustainable.
• A techno-economically feasible, zero-waste approach is crucial for maximizing resource utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the energy efficiency and economic feasibility of four distinct zero-waste biorefinery concepts for salmon filleting co-streams.
• To compare traditional methods with novel processing technologies for co-stream valorization.
• To identify the most profitable and sustainable pathway for high-value product recovery.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of four biorefinery concepts: biogas/fertilizer production, fish silage, thermal processing, and a novel two-stage thermal/enzymatic process.
• Techno-economic analysis incorporating Monte Carlo simulations to assess economic uncertainties.
• Assessment of energy efficiency and product recovery yields for each concept.

Main Results:

• The novel two-stage thermal and enzymatic process demonstrated the highest profitability and return on investment.
• This advanced method enables the recovery of high-quality marine oil and food-grade protein hydrolysate.
• Compared to traditional thermal processing and silage methods, the two-stage approach is more economically attractive.

Conclusions:

• Zero-waste biorefining of fish co-streams is technically and economically viable.
• The two-stage thermal and enzymatic process represents a superior strategy for recovering valuable marine oil and proteins.
• This approach maximizes the utilization of fish resources, producing high-value products, fertilizers, and energy.