In recent years, efforts have been made both in Japan and abroad to realize environmentally friendly and sustainable food production. Agricultural and food waste (unutilized organic matter), which is currently disposed of by incineration or landfill, contains nutrients necessary for crop cultivation, so it is important to use microbial power to break it down and convert it into a valuable resource in terms of food loss and the rising cost of chemical fertilizers.
Various studies have been conducted in Japan and overseas on methods for recycling unused organic materials, but many issues remain, such as improving processing capacity, improving the function of products after treatment, and establishing evaluation systems.
PtBio, in collaboration with Hiroshima University and agricultural machinery manufacturer Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. is analyzing the bacterial flora*1 of food waste and other fermented products through metagenome analysis, and is working to effectively utilize and add value to unused organic materials, which will lead to food production based on resource recycling.
1 Bacterial flora: Microorganisms and bacteria existing in a certain environment, including their genome information.
Exploring new possibilities through metagenomic analysis
Metagenome analysis is a technique to obtain DNA (genome) derived from all organisms constituting a certain environment, and to search for novel genes from them, as well as to elucidate the types and functions of organisms in that environment.
At PtBio, we use long-read sequencers to precisely analyze not only the genus but also the species level, and promote research on microorganisms that contribute significantly to specific functions.
Expectations for the realization of resource-recycling food production
The cost of disposing of general waste in Japan exceeds 2 trillion yen*2, 40-50% of which is thought to come from food waste*3, and demand for effective utilization and value-adding of food waste is expected to be great.
3 We believe that there is a great demand for the effective use and high value-added conversion of food waste. By promoting this initiative, we will not only compost food residues, but also work to promote resource-recycling agriculture by preventing pests and diseases, reducing chemical fertilizers, and promoting plant growth.
*2 From the Ministry of the Environment in 2020
*3 From the Japan Food Ecology Center
