Loch Duart Ltd, an independent Scottish salmon farm based in North West Scotland, has signed an agreement with CellsUnited Ltd., to supply salmon viscera (guts) as a nutritional compound.
Typically, when the salmon are prepared for customers, the guts are safely disposed of through insilation, and, once filleted, the heads and frames are used in low-grade applications such as fertilizer and pet food. In an agreement which increases the value extracted from farmed salmon, Loch Duart has agreed to supply CellsUnited with up to 450 tons of salmon viscera (guts) heads.
The salmon byproduct will be used to produce Cellper, a new nutritional compound that has the potential to improve the treatment of malnutrition in people who cannot otherwise digest protein, according to Loch Duart.
Loch Duart director Andy Bing explained: ‘’The Cellper process, derived from technology developed for long-distance space travel, adds significant value to those parts of the salmon usually discarded or used for fertilizer and pet food. Now the full nutritional benefit, including that of the viscera, frames and heads, can be used to combat malnutrition in developing countries and to speed the recovery of many categories of hospital patients in the developed world. We are delighted to be part of this important breakthrough.”
The Cellper process transforms the value of salmon waste which, for quality, freshness and reliability of supply, has been identified as the ideal protein source for this new product. The result, after a long and complex refinement process, can be used in two forms:
As a dietary supplement in basic granular form, where it is the most compact form of “pre-digest” protein and therefore easily transported to remote parts of the world.
As a liquid nutritional supplement for many types of hospital patients.
CellsUnited managing director Andy Smith, noted: “We see an important future working with the aquaculture industry worldwide, and where better to start than with Scotland’s most innovative, quality salmon producer? We plan to spend the next 18 months working closely with Loch Duart before establishing volume production which will need a minimum of 4,500 tons of salmon waste a year. Our relationship with Loch Duart will continue as part of our permanent R&D base in Dingwall.”
For information, visit www.lochduart.com.
