DTU

This project aims to develop a highly innovative but sustainable process to fix CO2 into Microbial Protein by integrating microbial electrosynthesis with aerobic methanotrophs cultivation. The fruit processing waste would form a more sustainable and primary substrate for high-glucose syrups recovery and nutrients for Microbial Protein production.

The research will provide new avenues for carbon capture & utilization, Microbial Protein production, and agro-waste valorization and train local researchers to take advantage of the knowledge and continue the research in Burkina Faso beyond the project.

This project (code: 21-08-DTU) is funded by the Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC) of Danish International Development Agency (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark) on Research collaboration projects in Danida priority countries (Window 1).

CAP-BFA aims at contributing both to mitigate climate change and to enhance adaptive capacities of food (fodder) production in Burkina Faso. It will develop innovative technical solutions and build internationally and locally anchored research capacity to ensure rapid and effective reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable protein supply for the Burkina people and agro-ecosystems. Through microbial electrosynthesis, we will capture and utilize CO₂ for microbial protein production. Using an enzymatic approach, we will valorize agro-wastes into bioproducts, and the residence could be a nitrogen source for microbial protein synthesis. In a partnership between South and Danish researchers and industries, we ensure that our developments align with the needs of Burkinabé. Finally, the environment and sustainability assessment will quantify the SDG and climate impacts of our proposed solutions.

We have gathered a team that, in combination, has state-of-the-art knowledge on carbon capture and utilization, microbial electrosynthesis, enzymatic process, supply logistics, animal feed formulations, and sustainability assessment, with vast experience in food production in Burkina Faso, and, importantly, it has the development potential to bring research on mitigating climate change and managing agro-wastes to a new level in Burkina Faso. This proposal, therefore, combines efforts across agriculture, environment, energy, and water sectors to create a new platform for local capacity building and future exchange of knowledge between Danish and Burkina researchers.

This project is aligned with “Denmark-Burkina Faso Strategic Framework 2021-2025” focusing on local community resilience and climate change adaptation. It will provide scientific support to several national policies in Burkina Faso such as Burkina Faso National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (NAP) through the valorization of agro-industrial wastes and the utilization of CO₂ and CH₄. The project also fits the strategy for Denmark’s development cooperation and humanitarian action: “The World 2030. CAP-BFA project will aid in realizing SDGs including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Facts

Locations: Burkina Faso, Denmark, Ghana

Start Date: Apr 1, 2022

End Date: Dec 31, 2026

Budget: DKK 11,999,866

Contract value:
DKK 11,999,866

Sectors: Agriculture, Environment & NRM, Food Processing & Safety, Information & Communication Technology, Pollution & Waste Management (incl. treatment), Training