AREFLH is a partner on the  WASTE4SOIL project “Turning food waste into sustainable soil improvers for better soil health and improved food system”. It aims at developing applicable recycling technical pathways to transform Food Processing Residues (FPR) into improvers, through a circular, system, and multi-actor approach. All food chain actors are involved at the regional level, thereby closing specific loops (nutrients, organic matter, water).

 

This month, we highlight the work carried out by LEITAT, a partner of the project from the Spanish Living Lab, on the development of protein hydrolysates derived from beer bagasse and porcine by-products (Category 2 under the Animal By-Product Regulation).

 

The porcine by-products were selected for their potential as high-value raw materials. Through an enzymatic hydrolysis process, the team successfully transformed these materials into protein hydrolysates rich in small peptides and free amino acids. These compounds can be used as biostimulants in agriculture, contributing to improved soil health and fertility, while also enhancing nutrient uptake by plants.

 

The process achieved a protein recovery rate of 70% and a high degree of protein hydrolysis. It was further optimised and scaled up using a 100L reactor, enabling the production of sufficient quantities of protein hydrolysate for field trials.

This innovative approach demonstrates the potential of circular bioeconomy strategies to valorise Category 2 porcine by-products, transforming them into sustainable inputs for agricultural applications.

 

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This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement Nr. 101112708.