Fish and meat production and processing will grow drastically in the coming decades. In aquacultural systems, insects are gaining interest as feed to provide a sustainable alternative to the fishmeal paradox, whose production leads to high consumption of resources and negative environmental impacts. Within the scope of this study, the production of fish feed from Hermetia illucens larvae and Lemna minor in an inline recirculating aquaponics model for urban sites was developed and optimized, which efficiently combines waste and environmental service concepts in one production system. At the same time, the value chain produces high-quality, market-accessible raw materials for the fish feed industry. All investigations were accompanied by a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure and compare ecological effects to finally result in sustainable alternatives. The results achieved in this research show that fish feed based on Hermetia illucens and Lemna minor can have the potential to be ecologically competitive or more sustainable than standard feed. It should be noted that the comparison here represents the results of the project on a pilot scale. Various optimization potentials were shown, which are essential for the large-scale implementation of the breeding of both species as well as their processing up to the fish feed pellets.

This study evaluates the economic and environmental sustainability of protein-rich crops (quinoa, faba beans, chickpeas, and lentils) cultivated in Europe. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analyses, it examines the impacts of these crops grown in the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy under both organic and conventional farming methods. Unlike previous agri-food studies that mostly assess sustainability dimensions in isolation, this research integrates LCA and LCC to provide a comprehensive eco-efficiency evaluation, offering novel insights into the trade-offs between environmental impact and economic viability. In addition, this study focuses on the cultivation of four protein-rich crops that are novel to Europe. The results reveal significant variability in environmental impacts, including climate change impact and land use, as well as profitability, across different crops, countries, and farming practices. Dutch conventionally grown faba beans demonstrate the highest eco-efficiency, while organic lentils in Italy and organic quinoa in the Netherlands also perform well. The study highlights the instability of crop yields and suggests that local production of these protein-rich crops could reduce Europe's dependency on imported soy, although careful consideration of regional suitability and farming methods is necessary. The findings aim to guide farmers and policymakers in promoting sustainable protein-rich crop production in Europe.

The production of cultured meat will require large quantities of cell culture medium, presenting challenges related to high costs and limited sustainability of both protein-based components and other ingredients of the basal medium. To date, most research has focused on substituting and optimizing protein-based medium components, leading to significant progress in reducing costs associated with growth factors and serum albumin. However, the basal medium—containing amino acids, vitamins, carbon sources, and microelements—is equally essential. While some efforts have been made to optimize its composition, the environmental impact of using chemically fully defined mixtures remains considerable, and cost reductions are challenging. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to basal medium production by utilizing a mixture of partially hydrolyzed plant and yeast biomass. Our results demonstrate that hydrolysate-based basal medium (HBBM) performs comparably to chemically fully defined basal medium during proliferation and differentiation of bovine satellite cells. Furthermore, a comparative life cycle assessment was performed to explore the environmental impacts of replacing chemically fully defined medium with HBBM. The analysis showed potential reduction in environmental impacts, highlighting the relevance of basal medium formulation as a key element to influence ecological sustainability.

The production of cultured meat will require large quantities of cell culture medium, presenting challenges related to high costs and limited sustainability of both protein-based components and other ingredients of the basal medium. To date, most research has focused on substituting and optimizing protein-based medium components, leading to significant progress in reducing costs associated with growth factors and serum albumin. However, the basal medium – containing amino acids, vitamins, carbon sources, and a number of microelements – is equally essential for the proliferation of mammalian cells. While some efforts have been made to optimize its composition, the environmental impact of using chemically fully defined mixtures, such as e.g. DMEM/F12, remains considerable, and cost reductions are challenging. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to basal medium production by utilizing a mixture of partially hydrolyzed plant and yeast biomass as a substitute for DMEM/F12 in both short- and long-term proliferation experiments of bovine satellite cells. Our results demonstrate that hydrolysate-based basal medium (HBBM) performs comparably to chemically fully defined basal medium and does not adversely affect differentiation capacity over the first four passages. Additionally, analysis of the HBBM indicates that the concentrations of individual components are significantly lower than those found in DMEM/F12. Furthermore, a comparative life cycle assessment was performed to explore the environmental impacts of replacing DMEM/F12 with HBBM. The analysis showed potential reduction in environmental impacts, highlighting the relevance of basal medium formulation as a key element to influence ecological sustainability.

Purpose: The carbon footprint, land use and economic feasibility have been quantified for tempeh production using four alternative substrates (fava bean, chickpea, quinoa and lentil) and traditional tempeh (made from soybean) as a benchmark. The purpose of this study is to compare the environmental and economic results of tempeh made from fava bean, chickpea, quinoa and lentil against the traditionally produced tempeh and explore the eco-efficient tempeh variant. Design/methodology/approach: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCC) have been applied as tools for evaluating the environmental and economic impacts associated with a product or process, respectively. For impact assessment, we have employed ReCiPe 2016 v1.1, which is integrated in the PC-tool GaBi v10.6.2.9 (developed by Sphera Solutions GmbH, Germany). Findings: Carbon footprint analysis revealed that lentil-based tempeh has the lowest value (1.599 kg CO2 eq.) per kg product, while fava bean-based product has the lowest value (4.379 kg CO2 eq.) per kg protein in the product. From an eco-efficiency perspective, chickpea-based tempeh powder was identified as the most eco-efficient per kg of product. Originality/value: The study also showed that defining a product as more sustainable highly depends on the functional unit on which the ecological and economic impacts are calculated. The results also show that a product could be environmentally friendly but not economically profitable. Therefore, the eco-efficiency method could support in decision-making.