Burak Aksoy, an associate research professor at Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, has recently secured two patents aimed at combating food and aquaculture waste. His innovative products offer sustainable solutions to address pressing challenges in both industries.
The first patent is for an aquafeed binder made from soybean hulls, a byproduct with little value in agriculture. This binder enhances the stability of feed pellets in water, improving feed efficiency, fish health, and water quality. Unlike conventional binders containing harmful substances like urea formaldehyde, Aksoy’s binder utilizes a new process to activate pectin and proteins in soybean hulls, providing nutrition to fish while stabilizing pellets.
In a market worth over $70 billion, Aksoy’s cost-effective binder offers a safer and more efficient alternative, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment alike.
The second patent addresses food waste in the human food supply chain. Aksoy developed a gas-sensing coating applied to stickers affixed directly to meat packaging. These stickers monitor volatile compounds emitted by meats as they degrade, indicating freshness levels in real-time. By providing accurate freshness information, the solution helps reduce food spoilage and economic losses.
Industry interest in these innovations is high, with potential for global impact. Collaborating with researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering, Aksoy’s inventions promise economic potential alongside sustainability benefits.
Janaki Alavalapati, Dean of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, underscores the scalability and affordability of Aksoy’s solutions. By leveraging existing machinery, the products offer practical solutions to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Aksoy’s groundbreaking work not only addresses immediate challenges in food and aquaculture industries but also paves the way for a more sustainable future, aligning with global efforts to combat waste and promote responsible resource management.
Source-indiaeducationdairy.com