Napf – New Protein-rich Rapeseed Feed

Challenges

Rapeseed processing for animal feed production faces the challenge of reducing the dependency on soy, which often comes from non-regional and genetically modified sources. Traditional rapeseed processing methods use hexane as a solvent, raising health and environmental concerns. Furthermore, these processes often result in suboptimal utilization of many of the valuable rapeseed components. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative, sustainable processes that maximize the added value of domestic rapeseed.

Objectives and project plan

The project “New Protein-Rich Rapeseed Feed – Napf” aims to scale up and optimize innovative rapeseed processing with the EthaNa process. This process uses ethanol as an environmentally friendly solvent and enables the production of a high-quality rapeseed kernel concentrate (RKC) with a high protein content and low fiber content. The focus is on reducing the use of soy in feed mixtures and strengthening domestic rapeseed production. In addition to validating the process on a pilot scale, the digestibility and acceptance of RKC in animal nutrition will also be investigated in order to produce marketable and sustainable feed.

Suitability of rapeseed kernel concentrate as animal feed

With an optimized protein content of over 50 percent, rapeseed kernel concentrate achieves the same value as soybean meal, while conventional rapeseed meal contains just under 40 percent protein.

To investigate the suitability of rapeseed kernel concentrate for animal nutrition, Fraunhofer CBP produced and dried approximately 40 kilograms of rapeseed kernel concentrate and made it available to the project partners for feeding trials. Analyses confirmed a high content of essential amino acids.

In feeding trials at the University of Hohenheim, chicks for poultry fattening gained weight well with feed made from rapeseed kernel concentrate: from 43 to 1000 grams within 21 days.

However, it is not only the protein content that is important, but also its availability. In the studies conducted by the University of Hohenheim, rapeseed kernel concentrate showed better protein digestibility than rapeseed extraction meal. When the enzyme phytase was added, the protein digestibility of the rapeseed concentrate feed was further increased. The enzyme breaks down phytic acids, releasing phosphates that become bioavailable and subsequently improve protein absorption in the organism.

The studies show that rapeseed kernel concentrate is ideally suited for use as animal feed.

Impact

The establishment of the EthaNa process will significantly increase the added value of rapeseed and reduce the dependency on soy imports, which will have a positive impact on the environment. The use of ethanol as an environmentally friendly solvent also reduces the carbon footprint of rapeseed processing.

The project promotes sustainable animal nutrition by advancing the development of demand-orientated feed. The newly obtained RKC offers promising applications, particularly in poultry feeding, and can also be used in other areas of animal nutrition. In the long term, the process opens up international marketing opportunities, contributing to job creation and strengthening the competitiveness of the German feed industry.