New sources of food detailed by NZ, Dutch researchers
New Zealand and Dutch researchers outline the need to discover new sources of high-quality protein to meet the world's rising demand for food.
New Zealand and Dutch researchers have outlined the need to discover new sources of high-quality protein to meet the world’s rising demand for food.
The review, by Dr Mike Boland from Massey's Riddet Institute and colleagues at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands, draws on a range of research sources to peer into the future of the world’s food supply.
They propose that three simultaneous changes will need to be made to meet future animal-derived protein demand.
These are: shifting protein sources up the supply chain, use of plant-based substitutes or extenders for animal-derived protein foods and use of novel sources for both animal and human nutrition.
Global production of meat is projected to increase to double between 2000 and 2050 – this translates to total 465 million tonnes a year. But this still will not be enough to meet total protein demand.
Among the issues discussed in the paper is the possibility of increased competition between human and pet food industries over animal parts that previously were literally “for the dogs”.
Another topic is the notion of rabbit farming, noting that rabbits and other novel animal species “should not be discounted as having an important role to play in future animal protein production systems”.
The review also speculates that there may be ways to derive dietary protein from food waste from biofuel crop leftovers.
“The main message is that demand for particularly animal-based protein is increasing and certain methods of production will not be able to keep pace with the demand … so we need to start looking at new ways of doing things,” Dr Boland says.
– Trends in Food Science & Technology
NBR Staff
Fri, 10 Aug 2012
Fri, 10 Aug 2012
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
New sources of food detailed by NZ, Dutch researchers
22717