Management Of By-products Research Articles

Balık Yan Ürünlerinin ve Atıklarının Yeni Kullanımı: Protein Hidrolizatları

The rapid growth of the world's population, urbanization, and increasing prosperity require better utilization of available protein resources. In addition, the development of new and sustainable resources is also very important. By 2050, the increase in protein demand in the world will cause it to double not only due to population pressure but also to the increasing awareness of the importance of proteins in a healthy diet for the elderly population. Fish and other aquatic products are important sources of protein. However, depending on the raw materials and the processes applied in the seafood processing sector, waste and by-products are generated at rates ranging from 20% to 75%. Many studies have shown that these products are important protein sources. However, the inadequate management of waste and by-products in the seafood processing sector is one of the biggest challenges facing the fish industry today. Various processes have been developed for the use of these products. An effective way to add value to these products is the production of protein hydrolyzates. Protein hydrolysates allow the release of peptides of different sizes with functional properties, various bioactivities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, or antihyperglycemic. In this article, proteins belonging to fish by-products and wastes, their functional and technological properties, hydrolysis process, technological use of hydrolysates in the food industry have been reviewed.

Efecto y evaluación agrícola de digestato anaeróbico de la FORSU como fertilizante en tritical invernal

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) has proven to be an economically viable technology to treat the organic fraction of the municipal solid wastes (OFMSW). Research regarding the management and application of AD byproducts in Mexico, is required to encourage the private sector and local administrations to invest in this technology. In this study, fodder winter triticale (x triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus var. Rio Nazas) was grown to demonstrate the fertilizer effect and to evaluate the raw digestate generated from the AD under thermophilic conditions of locally sampled OFMSW, using a batch scale digester. The digestate produced was incorporated into a 6 m2 plot according to the recommender fertilization for this crop. At the same time, a crop treated with inorganic fertilizer (IF) and a control were grown, each on a plot of same dimensions, for comparison purposes. The fertilizer effect was measured in crop yield (Mg ha−1), seed efficiency (kgTriticale kgSeed−1) and bromatological value. Overall, the digestate treatment had better results in crop yield (12.54 Mg ha−1) and seed efficiency (83.61 kgTriticale kgSeed−1) than those achieved with the IF (11.16 Mg ha−1 and 74.43 kgTriticale kgSeed−1 , respectively) and the control. Whereas the bromatological value, a statistical analysis revealed that, regardless of the treatment, the mineral uptake, protein, sugar and fiber content were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Raw digestate generated from AD of the OFMSW under thermophilic conditions, is a valuable by product, rich enough to fully substitute IF for growing triticale Río Nazas.

A conceptual method to research in social systems focused to informal waste pickers

The viability of society depends on its ability to manage and maintain its common resources. It is important to find strategies that harmonize their use and access in order to maintain an optimum rate of combined extraction and consumption of resources, as well as to fortify social capital under a variability of cultural and social contexts. Three scenarios have been proposed with regard to the management of common resources; we propose there are differentiated by characteristics that demarcate the grade of conservation of the resources. With respect to the management of byproducts from urban solid wastes that informal waste pickers make in the dumps, throughout 20 years working on the subject, we concluded that the appropriation of materials in these social systems follow the same patterns as in natural systems. So we propose to use the theory of access to common resources, since we consider it is possible to utilize this methodology to model management scenarios that contribute to the understanding of the appropriation of materials at dumps, as well to propose strategies in order to improve the management of solid wastes and the welfare of the informal waste pickers. Under the premise that the handling and appropriation of solid wastes, which is done by the informal waste pickers is characteristic to the use of resources of common property, the theoretical integration of the investigation should undertake why solid wastes should be considered as resources and in what general conditions is the handling of these resources that are found in all countries where informal waste pickers occur.

Examination of compost maturity using reflectance

Composting is one of the most popular recycling processes for organic waste. Composting plays an important role in waste and by-product management and is becoming increasingly important in both sustainable energy management and circular economy. Composting transforms organic matter to produce a safe and stable by-product (compost) that can be applied to arable land in a similar way to fertilizer. Physical, chemical and biological methods can be used to monitor the process and to determine the maturity of the compost, as spectrometric/spectroscopic methods play an important role in the analysis of different environmental samples. Our aim was to (1) non-destructively detect the effects of different additive ratios on the spectral properties of the composting process and the spectral data of different compost mixtures, (2) to find the wavelength ranges of the reflectance curve (inflection points) sensitive to compost maturity, (3) to determine the correlation between the inflection points and the chemical and physical parameters measured in compost by conventional methods. The mixture of broiler and hen manure and zeolite was composted 62 days in windrow composting. In the composting experiment, the moisture content and temperature (°C) were measured every three days and compost samples were taken and in 10% destillated aquaeous suspension were measured the pH and electrical conductivity (mS cm-1). Compost samples dried to mass stability were spectrally analyzed in the wavelength range 400–1000 nm with AvaSpec 2048 spectrometer. Based on the results, the reflectance of mature compost were smaller in the last days of composting than the reflectance values of day 0 samples, thus compost maturity can be detected spectral in the VIS-NIR wavelength range. For the tested compost prisms, the reflectance of each sampling day shows a constant slope, with a significant overlap of the reflectance curves up to 400–700 nm wavelength range, and there was a breakpoint in the 700–750 nm wavelength range which was proved by binary encoding.

Sustainability orientation, byproduct management and business performance: An empirical investigation

Despite the emphasis of manufacturing firms on sustainability, integration of their orientation for long-term business performance is still challenging. This article examines how manufacturing firms devise strategies for sustainability by implementing sustainability practices like sustainable new product development and byproduct management to achieve environmental effectiveness and competitive business outcomes. A survey of 207 U.S. manufacturing firms is used for empirical testing and validation. The analysis of benchmark instruments indicates a high level of internal and external validity. The findings suggest that (1) sustainability orientation influences sustainable new product development and byproduct management; (2) Sustainable new product development and byproduct management jointly and directly impact environmental performance; (3) Environmental performance is crucial in determining business performance. The technological infrastructure of a firm reports a moderating effect between sustainable operations and performance outcomes. The longevity of a firm reports a moderating effect between environmental performance and business performance. To achieve broad social orientation goals, firms take a longer time horizon, take consistent steps to promote internal stakeholders’ wellbeing, and move forward with their purposeful reputation building in the larger ecosystem. This paper expands the sustainability literature by undertaking one of the first studies integrating sustainability orientation, sustainable new product development, byproduct management, and performance chain outcomes.

Sustainable Utilization of Fishery Waste in Bangladesh—A Qualitative Study for a Circular Bioeconomy Initiative

Living marine resources are limited; therefore, utilizing them sustainably is essential. Not all resources obtained from the sea are used adequately, causing discards, on-board waste, and by-products and waste on land. Recognition of the limited marine resources and increasing environmental pollution has emphasized the need for better utilization of by-products. Waste may include particles of flesh, skin, bones, entrails, shells or liquid stick water. Unfortunately, no fishery waste and by-product management initiatives or projects exist in Bangladesh; by-products are generally thrown into dustbins, ponds, rivers, and the sea. Bangladesh’s fish-processing waste and fishery by-products could be exported, providing a source of foreign currency earnings. Primary and secondary data were collected through documentary analysis, a literature review, and in-depth interviews (n = 129) with fishers and other relevant stakeholders regarding the challenges of Bangladesh’s sustainable fishery by-products and fish-processing waste. The data were analyzed thematically, guided by the most meaningful stories, and show that fish waste, or fishery by-products, should not be considered less valuable than the fish itself but is a precious and profitable resource capable of bringing health, social, economic, and environmental benefits. Our results reveal that fishery waste can expand local communities’, especially fishers’ and other workers’, potential for jobs or alternative income-generating tasks during fishing ban seasons. Finally, suggestions for managing fishery waste and fishery by-products are made to ensure improved and sustainable utilization via a circular bioeconomy.

International comparison of impurities mixing and accumulation in steel scrap

AbstractThe accumulation of impurities in the recycling of steel impacts the quality of secondary steel. Understanding impurity levels is crucial in the context of the proliferation of circular economy policies, expected high recycling rates, and growth of scrap consumption. By assuming the accumulation of impurities to be equal worldwide, the understanding of the extent and variation of the mixing and accumulation was limited in previous studies, and the factors influencing those variations were not considered. This is a first cross‐national comparison of impurity accumulation in recycled steel. In this study, the copper, tin, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum content was analyzed in over 500 samples of electric arc furnace rebars from China, Japan, Vietnam, Ukraine, and the Netherlands (representing northwestern Europe) with an optical emission spectrometer. The impurity content in rebars represents the content of impurities accumulated in steel scrap in the countries studied. The measured content of impurities was then used to determine the factors influencing the accumulation of those impurities. It was revealed that the recycling technology, the presence of a market for recovered metals, the quality of the material input, steelmaking practices, and the management of byproducts derived from a legislative or economic context played a role in the impurities content. By communicating on scrap chemical content, the collaboration between the recycling and steel industries could be enhanced in terms of matching the demand and supply and facilitating an increase in the scrap share in steelmaking.

Economic, Technological as Well as Environmental and Social Aspects of Local Use of Wood By-Products Generated in Sawmills for Energy Purposes

The article is the first in a series of works presenting the potential and possibilities of using for energy purposes wood waste and wood by-products generated at various stages of production in companies of the wood industry. The management of all wood waste and wood by-products is a pending issue due to the growing importance of the circular economy and broadly understood environmental protection. It is the environmental aspects and the climate targets defined by the EU that are the basis to determine the precise courses of action for the Member States and, as a result, also for companies. The article proves that regardless of the decisions taken by governments of individual countries in terms of broadly understood environmental protection, companies are free to implement pro-environmental solutions as part of their business activity. Due to the broad subject of the management of waste and by-products generated in different units of the wood industry, the possibilities of their use in terms of energy in primary wood processing companies–sawmills—are presented first. On the example of selected entities, the energy potential and possibilities of generating energy from renewable sources taking into account the principles of circular economy are presented. The possibilities of optimising production by improving redistribution of thermal energy, which may result in improving the economic efficiency of the assessed enterprises, were indicated.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Geopolymer Foams (GFs) Doped with By-Products of the Secondary Aluminum Industry.

The article deals with the investigation of geopolymer foams (GFs) synthesized using by-products coming from the (i) screening-, (iv) pyrolysis-, (iii) dust abatement- and (iv) fusion-processes of the secondary aluminum industry. Based on principles of the circular economy to produce new technological materials, the experimental study involves industrial by-products management through the recovery, chemical neutralization, and incorporation of these relatively hazardous waste into the GFs. The geopolymeric matrix, consisting of metakaolin (MK) and silica sand (SA) with a 1:1 wt.% ratio, and chopped carbon fibers (CFs, 1 wt.% MK), was doped with the addition of different aluminum-rich industrial by-products with a percentage from 1 to 10 wt.% MK. The gas (mainly hydrogen) produced during the chemical neutralization of the by-products represents the foaming agents trapped in the geopolymeric structure. Several experimental tests were carried out to characterize the mechanical (flexural, compressive, and Charpy impact strengths) and thermal properties (thermal conductivity, and diffusivity, and specific heat) of the GFs. Results identify GFs with good mechanical and thermal insulation properties, encouraging future researchers to find the best combination (for types and proportions) of the different by-products of the secondary aluminum industry to produce lightweight geopolymer foams. The reuse of these industrial by-products, which according to European Regulations cannot be disposed of in the landfill, also brings together environmental sustainability and safe management of hazardous material in workplaces addressed to the development of new materials.

Natural and industrial wastes for sustainable and renewable polymer composites

By-products management from industrial and natural (agriculture, aviculture, and others) activities and products are critical for promoting sustainability, reducing pollution, increasing storage space, minimising landfills, reducing energy consumption, and facilitating a circular economy. One of the sustainable waste management approaches is utilising them in developing biocomposites. Biocomposites are eco-friendly materials because of their sustainability and environmental benefits that have comparable performance properties to the synthetic counterparts. Biocomposites can be developed from both renewable and industrial waste, making them both energy efficient and sustainable. Because of their low weight and high strength, biocomposite materials in applications such as automobiles can minimise fuel consumption and conserve energy. Furthermore, biocomposites in energy-based applications could lead to savings in both the economy and energy consumption. Herein, a review of biocomposites made from various wastes and their related key properties (e.g. mechanical and fire) are provided. The article systematically highlights the individual wastes/by-products from agriculture and materials processing industries for composites manufacturing in terms of their waste components (materials), modifications, resultant properties, applications and energy efficiency. Finally, a perspective for the future of biowastes and industrial wastes in polymer composites is discussed.

Magnitude of Formal and Informal Employment in India: An Analysis of Various Data Sets

The study asked respondents about their knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding paddy waste management and by-products. The data were recorded using statements related to the know-how of procedures, acts, government benefits, management options, and techno-commercial knowledge regarding paddy waste and by-product management. Multiple regression modelling was applied after checking the adequacy of data to model the relationship between knowledge, practices, and management. Results indicated that processors knew the worth of paddy waste and by-products and related technologies, scope, etc. The major procurement channel was the miller to the processor, and the distribution channel was the processor to the middle agent to the retailer. For the regression model of management, knowledge and practices were found to have a significant and positive impact on management.

Part A: Sanitization and use of sewage sludge in soil Technical Note 1 – Topics of interest

Sewage treatment plants (STPs) generate solid by-products that need to be managed safely so as not to compromise the environment and public health. Among these by-products, of special interest is the sludge generated in the primary, biological and physical-chemical treatment units, which concentrates a large amount of the pollutants and contaminants removed during sewage treatment. However, the sludge is also a reservoir of compounds that can be recovered or reused (e.g.: organic matter, phosphorus, and nitrogen), which are of agronomic interest and can be used for the recovery of degraded areas. This technical note (TN), the first of the collection “Valorization and management of solid by-products of sewage treatment. Part A: Sanitization and use of sewage sludge in soil”, presents topics of interest related to modern management of the sludge generated in STPs, with emphasis on the legal aspects and forms of treatment for its transformation into biosolid for use in soils and other possibilities. The other TNs that are part of this collection deepen the topics briefly addressed in this first TN.

A Detailed Review of Mangifera indica (Mango): Secondary Metabolites and Important Functional Properties

Mango is a fruit with nutritive assets and also with known therapeutic uses. This fruit is widely grown in tropical and subtropical countries as a source of food and income for people. As a seasonal fruit of Mango, about 21% of pulps are processed. Pulp Mango processing produces approximately 15,000,000 tons of bio-waste per year in the world. Currently, this byproduct management generates high costs and are a source of environmental contamination. However, the chemical composition of mango seeds could probable their use as a supportable source of high added value phytochemicals. Bioactive secondary metabolites in mango contain phenolic compounds, such as ellagic acid, pentagalloylglucose, gallic acid, methyl gallate and rhamnetin. These compounds have a particular interest in their pharmacologic and biological activities. Additionally, new research should be geared to evaluate activities of models that have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, in this work, we review the whole mango bioactive phytochemicals, looking in detail at their reported functional and biological activities, potential applications, and the technological aspects.

An extended institutional theory perspective on the adoption of circular economy practices: Insights from the seafood industry

The management of seafood processing by-products (SPBPs) is an interesting but underexplored topic in the circular economy (CE) research stream. The extant CE literature is mainly devoted to the topic's theoretical aspects and largely neglects the linkages between theory and practice, particularly in developing countries. This paper aims to empirically investigate CE implementation and its associated drivers and barriers in the context of SPBP management in a developing country. A multiple-case design is used on a sample of five firms that engage in SPBP treatment in Vietnam. We find evidence of circular practices in SPBP management that aim at cascading use and higher value creation. We also delineate eight drivers and 14 barriers rooted in four clusters: regulatory, socio-cognitive, economic and supply chain, and technological factors. In addition to generic factors, we identify three exclusive drivers and five unique barriers specific to our cases. The findings are then interpreted through the lens of extended institutional theory to derive a holistic framework that captures the dynamic influences of various factors on CE diffusion. Our framework includes two add-ons: institutional logic and uncertainty. ‘Legitimacy-embedded efficiency’ is established as a shared logic of CE, whereby economic growth is achieved in harmony with environmental protection via the optimal use of resources. Uncertainty moderates the relative influences of legitimacy and efficiency-related factors on CE diffusion. Our practical contribution is to offer an actionable guide for key stakeholders of the SPBP supply chain, including local authorities in the transition from low-efficiency practices to novel circular ones.

Reproduction of Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Under Different Adult Densities and Light Regimes.

The black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) has been recognized as a promising insect species for sustainable management of organic waste and by-products. Indoor breeding of BSF with artificial lighting has been proved successful, but efforts are still needed to optimize BSF reproductive output. Increasing adult density seems an option to exploit space, whereas decreasing artificial lighting duration may reduce unnecessary power consumption. This study aimed at investigating the effects of adult density (10, 25, and 50 pairs per 30 × 30 × 30 cm cage; i.e., 370, 926, and 1,852 pairs/m3), light regime (8:16, 12:12, and 16:8 [L:D] h), and their possible interactions, on some BSF life history traits relevant to reproduction. The results show that the overall BSF reproductive output increased with increasing adult density but was not affected by light regimes per se. With the highest BSF adult density tested, an average of more than 20,000 neonate larvae were produced from a cage within 10 d. At this density, increasing photoperiod increased neonate production, but also decreased the number of neonates per watt used for artificial illumination. The temporal oviposition patterns, mean individual female reproductive output, mating success, egg hatching rate, and insect survival rate were not affected by adult density or light regime as simple effects. However, the interaction between adult density and light regime was significant for the first oviposition peak, mean individual female reproductive output, and insect survival rate. The possible mechanisms behind our results are discussed.

Understanding the Effect of Pulp Mill Fly Ash on Strength, Compressibility, and Microstructure of Organic Soil

A lower shear strength and higher compressibility impose major challenges for construction on organic soils. Cementitious materials have been effectively used in the improvement of the engineering properties of mineral soils with low organic contents. However, limited studies have been devoted to the stabilization of the organic soils commonly encountered in forested regions in Canada. The present study investigated the effects of pulp mill fly ash (PFA) on the compressibility of a natural soil consisting of 26% organic matter. Fall-cone and oedometer tests were conducted on organic soil mixed with different PFA dosages (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%), as well as on untreated soil samples. The mineralogical and microstructural aspects of PFA-treated organic soil were examined using scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. The results suggest that when the organic soil was treated with PFA, its undrained shear strength and compressibility behavior were improved. Moreover, the potentially large settlement of organic soil can be reduced by the addition of PFA. The primary and secondary compression index (Cc and Cα, respectively) values decreased significantly when compared with the untreated organic soil, indicating that PFA stabilizers can effectively improve the creep behavior of organic soils. These findings indicate that the beneficial utilization of PFA for the stabilization of organic soils could be a practical step toward the environmentally sound management of this waste byproduct.

Life Cycle Assessment as a Methodological Framework for the Evaluation of the Environmental Sustainability of Pig and Pork Production in Ecuador

Pork is one of the proteins of greatest demand worldwide. This study has evaluated the environmental sustainability of pig production by applying the life cycle assessment methodological framework. The system boundaries include feed production, pig production, slaughtering, and slaughterhouse by-product management. Within this context, three scenarios have been proposed: the first related to the management of slaughter by-products in an open dump, the second contemplates a model for using these by-products in a rendering plant, and a third where the environmental burden of slaughterhouse co-products is portioned according to economic allocation. The primary data collected correspond to the period of 2019 for the facilities of a producer in a coastal province of Ecuador. Three functional units were used—“1 kg of pig carcass at the slaughterhouse gate”, “1 kg pig live weigh at the farm gate”, and “1 kg of feed at the plant gate”. The impact categories included were global warming, fossil depletion, marine eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, particulate matter formation, photochemical oxidation formation, and terrestrial acidification. The results revealed that the production of ingredients for feed is the largest contributor to the environmental burden of pig and pork. The rendering of slaughter by-products that avoid the production of other fats and proteins results in a lower environmental impact than the other scenarios in almost all categories.

Liquid Transport in Superhydrophobic Walled Minichannels for Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cell Flow-Fields

Liquid water byproduct management continues to be a challenge as polymer-electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) designs reach higher power densities. At length scales where surface tension is dominant, the wettability of flow-field channels can significantly impact the distribution of water on gas diffusion media. This work explores the impact of a super-hydrophobic coating on liquid build up and pressure drop in PEFC minichannels which are of interest because prior work has shown improved electrochemical performance at hydraulic diameters approaching 0.4 mm. Using ex-situ experimental methods and optical imaging, time series liquid water distributions were captured along with the two-phase pressure drop in a specially designed transparent test channel. The sidewalls of the minichannel were coated to achieve a contact angle of >150⁰. The liquid was injected into the channel through the back of the gas-diffusion layer (GDL) through a small pore to simulate actual PEFC conditions where liquid forms in the catalyst layer and percolates through a microporous layer. Two minichannel geometries with hydraulic diameters of 0.46 mm and 0.30 mm were tested with flow velocities ranging from ~3.0 m/s to ~15 m/s and liquid injection rates ranging from 150 µL/hr to 300 µL/hr. A digital camera collected images of the liquid water distribution at 5 Hz which was synchronized with the pressure drop data collection. Images were post processed to capture the projected area of liquid coverage on the GDL surface. For each test, periodic purge cycles were included to understand the impact these coatings may have on startup and drying scenarios. Overall, data shows that super-hydrophobic coatings lead to mixed results in reducing pressure drop for steady flow conditions compared to untreated channels. Super-hydrophobic coatings did, however, lead to consistently lower channel saturations during purge/dry cycles. A discussion of the normalized data in terms of channel saturation, two-phase pressure amplification, and Weber number is made for each case.

Assessment of air pollution control technologies to reduce SOx emission from thermal oxidizer for oil and gas industry

Many countries have put in place, various legislations that govern air emission limits/pollutants from the industries. The common pollutants being monitored are Sulphur Oxides (SOx), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), particulate matters and dioxins. In Malaysia, the regulatory requirement aims to regulate emissions of air pollutants from industrial activities including oil and gas, power plants, waste fuel plants and asphalt mixing plants. One of the emission limits under Clean Air Regulation (CAR2014) is emission level for SOx should be less than 600 mg/m3 (reference condition at 3 % of O2, 273 K, 101.3 kPa) whereby sum of SO2 and SO3 expressed as SOx. Excessive SOx emission can affect both health and the environment. Aligning with the regulation requirement, Group Technical Solution (GTS) under PETRONAS has embarked on assessment of technology solutions to meet the emission limit on SOx emission limit for thermal oxidizers which cover new and existing facilities. This paper describes on the work methodology and approach adopted during the assessment. The objective of the assessment is to determine the suitable process technology to reduce SOx emission in order to achieve the desired emission limit for flue gas at outlet stream of thermal oxidizer. Thorough evaluation was carried out based on proposal submission from various technology providers and Vendors. The selection criteria was developed and established. For existing thermal oxidizers, the assessment is more complex taking into consideration the nature of brownfield project and to ensure the proposed modification has minor impact to operability and maintainability of existing facilities. This study has successfully enabled identification of feasible process technologies such as Caustic Scrubber, Seawater Flue Gas Desulfurization and Ammonia based Desulfurization to meet the desired emission limit at thermal oxidizer outlet for Oil and Gas Industry and supporting environmental protection. The selected technology is varies based on plant/project specific requirement. Among main considerations are the by-product management, consumable and utility consumption as well as compatibility of the technology with existing plant on shutdown requirement.

Emergent Proteins-Based Structures-Prospects towards Sustainable Nutrition and Functionality.

The increased pressure over soils imposed by the need for agricultural expansion and food production requires development of sustainable and smart strategies for the efficient use of resources and food nutrients. In accordance with worldwide transformative polices, it is crucial to design sustainable systems for food production aimed at reducing environmental impact, contributing to biodiversity preservation, and leveraging a bioeconomy that supports circular byproduct management. Research on the use of emergent protein sources to develop value-added foods and biomaterials is in its infancy. This review intends to summarize recent research dealing with technological functionality of underused protein fractions, recovered from microbial biomass and food waste sources, addressing their potential applications but also bottlenecks. Protein-based materials from dairy byproducts and microalgae biomass gather promising prospects of use related to their techno-functional properties. However, a balance between yield and functionality is needed to turn this approach profitable on an industrial scale basis. In this context, downstream processing should be strategically used and properly integrated. Food solutions based on microbial proteins will expand in forthcoming years, bringing the opportunity to finetune development of novel protein-based biomaterials.