Our partner LEITAT has successfully developed protein hydrolysates from beer bagasse and porcine by-products (Category 2 according to the Animal By-Product Regulation) to be used as biostimulants in agriculture. The porcine by-products were selected for their potential as high-value raw materials. The team transformed these by-products into biostimulants through an enzymatic hydrolysis process aimed at releasing small peptides and free amino acids, with the goal of improving soil health and fertility, as well as optimizing nutrient absorption by plants. This innovative process achieved a 70% protein recovery and a high degree of protein hydrolysis. The process was optimized and scaled up in a 100L reactor to produce the necessary amount of protein hydrolysate for field trials. The enzymatic treatment provided a promising solution based on circular bioeconomy to convert Category 2 porcine by-products into protein hydrolysates for agricultural application.
