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Immobilized Enzyme Additive Package for Plant-Based Finfish Aquaculture Feed

Award Information
Agency: Department of Commerce
Branch: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Contract: 1305M218CNRMW0052
Agency Tracking Number: 18-1-079
Amount: $119,983.84
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 8.3.5
Solicitation Number: NOAA-2018-1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2018
Award Year: 2018
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2018-07-17
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2019-01-16
Small Business Information
5750 Shier Rings Road
Dublin, OH 43016-1234
United States
DUNS: 080317429
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Matthew Smiechowski
 Research Scientist
 (843) 572-0095
 msmiechowski@guildbiosciences.com
Business Contact
 Marcie Gagnon
Title: Contracts
Phone: (843) 572-0095
Email: marcie@guildbiosciences.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: A cost-effective, nutritious feed that minimally impacts the surrounding environment is critical to the profitability of a commercial aquaculture operations. As common sources of protein, such as fishmeal and fish processing byproducts, are becoming limited and more expensive to use, feed producers have turned to plant-based proteins. Plant-based feeds however, come with their own complications, including the need for supplementation with proteins, vitamins and amino acids needed for fish survival and growth, and the requirement to remove natural anti-nutritional factors during processing. For the proposed project Guild BioSciences will utilize our patented immobilized enzyme platform to develop an enzyme-based additive for soybean meal feeds that 1) can maintain effectiveness after being blended into pelleted feed at the point of manufacture, 2) removes anti-nutritional factors related to soybean meal after the feed has been ingested, 3) does not adversely affect the health of the fish, and 4) does not adversely affect the aquaculture environment. Feasibility of this effort will be proven through production and in vitro validation of the enzyme-based additive package’s functionality and a demonstration of in vivo efficacy of a fully formulated feed containing the additive package using rainbow trout.SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The proposed additive package will augment the quality of current processed soybean meal containing aquafeeds, and is expected to improve the production performance, digestibility, and physiological response of fish. The improved digestibility will lead to less aquatic pollution as most of the nutrients will now be utilized by the fish instead of excreted. On a cost per unit protein basis the additive will make soybean meal a more attractive protein source than fishmeal for most farmed finfish. Completion of the proposed project will enlarge the portfolio of feed ingredients available to the feed industry and promote U.S. grown soy.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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