Valorization of protein-rich liquid waste from tunicate cellulose extraction into biofertilizer

Presently, tunicates pose a serious challenge for the mussel aquaculture industry in PEI and Atlantic Provinces, which leads to a dramatic increase in the cost of production for both growers and processors. Although tunicate can be applied as the feedstock for the preparation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), an abundant amount of protein-rich liquid stream is often generated. To optimize the tunicate cellulose extraction process and improve the overall economy, this protein-rich liquid stream must be collected and valorized. Therefore, in this project, the liquid by-product obtained from cellulose extraction from tunicate will be used as the raw materials to prepare value-added biofertilizer, which helps ameliorate the problem caused by the tunicate, especially clubbed tunicate, in PEI and surrounding provinces.

Faculty Supervisor:

Yulin Hu

Student:

Partner:

TuniStrong Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Prince Edward Island

Program: