#55 - Prof. Stefan Wuertz

A growing global population causes an increased demand for food, and more specifically for more sustainable protein sources. In this podcast episode, Rhea and I had an inspiring discussion with Stefan Wuertz, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, about microbial community-based protein production from wastewater for animal feed applications. Stefan’s interdisciplinary team is researching and engineering processes that can grow bacteria in wastewater. The bacteria biomass contains proteins that can be used as feed for animals. The water footprint of this process is much lower than that of conventional protein sources, as the water that is used here would normally be discarded. Currently, his team is computing the economical feasibility and sustainability of this process, while collaborating with the industry for product valorization.