US approves single-cell protein for salmonids
US biotech firm KnipBio’s single-cell protein has been approved for use as an aquafeed ingredient for salmonids by the US Food and Drug Administration.
KnipBio Meal (KBM) received Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) designation, the first premium single cell protein to achieve such approval for aquafeed from the US government.
Chief executive Larry Feinberg said: “We are very excited by this development. GRAS notification status is different from self-determination because it is the result of a complex review process that takes years to complete.
“Many countries look to FDA GRAS designation as a strong indication that a feed product has been rigorously tested and reviewed. This designation is therefore an important milestone for our company and moves us significantly ahead of other companies in our industry.”
Scalable alternative
Feinberg said that in order to grow the aquaculture industry needed scalable and affordable alternatives to complement the finite supply of fishmeal currently used to provide protein in feed formulas.
He added: “Our GRAS designation now cements KnipBio Meal as a leading protein complement to fishmeal. This milestone also provides us with opportunities to broaden industry access to our products, while eliminating any concerns about their safety and efficacy.”
Feinberg said KnipBio now anticipated additional approvals for the use of KBM in crustaceans as well as for other versions of its single-cell protein, including one that creates a natural form of astaxanthin and could potentially serve as a colour additive in salmonid feed applications.
KBM is a source of protein produced by the leaf symbiont Methylobacterium extorquens.
