Implementation of the Scientific and Thechnological Watch Servicies associated to the Aquafeed and Processing Plant (AQUAPP) at the ULPGC Marine Scientific Technological Park. Banana By-Products in Aquatic Animals Feed as a practical example

Abstract

The Aquafeed and Processing Plant (AQUAPP), a pilot scale laboratory for innovation and processing in the field of bio by-products and aquafeeds, needs the implementation of a Competitive Scientific and Technological Watch Services to better adapt the offered services to the companies and scientific requirements. Due to the high demand for food products, energy, and other essential needs, gradual improvement in the current technological development towards utilizing alternative resources in many industries is necessary to cater the needs of the ever-increasing world population. Banana is one the world´s most important fruit crops that is cultivated in tropical countries for its direct consumption and valuable applications in the food industry. Banana byproducts are moreover an excellent source of highly valuable raw materials for other industries, thus moreover recycling agricultural waste. This prevents an ultimate loss of huge amount of untapped biomass and environmental issues from the crop production. The aim of present work it is to collaborate to implement an scientific technological watch service at the ULPGC and to use it as an example for the banana by-products in order to know about all available by-products that bananas have, and how these will be turned into highly commercial outputs focused in the field of animal feeds, in order to sustain this renewable resource and provide additional income to small scale farming industries without compromising its quality and safety in competing with other commercial products.