If our last story about using flies and maggots to feed our livestock was turning your stomach how about feeding them protein recovered from poultry industry waste such as feathers instead?
That is the focus of another EU funded project called Prospare. Using an enzymatic treatment they are able to make the proteins in the feathers more than 85% digestible (which can be milled to a tasteless flour) and to hydrolyse proteins that improve their properties for human consumption.
They have also developed a separate process for converting meat and bone trimmings into biofuel and food additives.
It’s an interesting project and one to watch in this time of rising protein costs and a need to curb waste.
Read more about the project on the Prospare website.