Microbial community dynamics and functional potential in microaerophilic assimilation of carbohydrate rich food wastes for single cell protein production in recirculating aquaculture systems

This project investigates the structure, interactions, and predicted functions of microbial communities involved in the conversion of carbohydrate rich food processing wastes into single cell protein (SCP) using a microaerophilic assimilation side reactor integrated with a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Four distinct waste types: potato starch waste, semolina, sugar waste, and wheat flour waste were used as carbon sources to drive microbial growth while recovering nutrients from aquaculture effluent. High throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed to characterize bacterial community composition under each treatment. Network and functional prediction analyses were used to identify key taxa and functional pathways involved in nutrient cycling and protein production. The findings provide insights into sustainable waste valorization strategies that simultaneously improve water quality and generate high protein microbial biomass for aquaculture feed.

本研究探究了集成循环水产养殖系统（Recirculating Aquaculture System, RAS）的微好氧同化副反应器（microaerophilic assimilation side reactor）中，参与将富含碳水化合物的食品加工废弃物转化为单细胞蛋白（Single Cell Protein, SCP）的微生物群落的结构、互作关系及预测功能。实验选取4种不同废弃物——马铃薯淀粉废渣、粗粒小麦粉废渣、制糖废渣与小麦粉废渣作为碳源以驱动微生物生长，同时从水产养殖废水中回收营养物质。本研究采用高通量16S rRNA基因扩增子测序技术，对各处理组的细菌群落组成进行表征；通过网络分析与功能预测分析，识别参与营养循环与蛋白生产的关键类群及功能通路。本研究结果可为可持续废弃物资源化利用策略提供理论支撑，该策略可同时改善养殖水体水质，并产出可供水产养殖饲料使用的高蛋白微生物生物质。