SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Fermented Feather Meal Research for Fish Feed: The Potential of Sustainable Aquaculture

News Friday, 16 May 2025

A research team from the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has developed an innovation to utilize chicken feather waste as an alternative raw material for fish feed. While chicken feathers are commonly regarded as waste with no economic value, this research has proven that they can be processed into a valuable substitute for costly fish feed ingredients. The study, titled “Proximate and Amino Acid Analysis of Processed Chicken Feather Meal for Fish Feed,” focuses on enhancing the nutritional content of feather waste through fermentation and hydrolysis techniques.

The chicken feather waste was sourced from the Berbah Poultry Slaughterhouse in Sleman. The researchers applied fermentation using probiotics and chemical hydrolysis to break down keratin structures using hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. The resulting feather meal was analyzed through proximate testing to determine moisture, ash, fat, and protein content, while amino acid content was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). These analyses were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the processing methods in improving the nutritional quality of the feed material.

The findings demonstrated that probiotic fermentation was the most effective method in enhancing the nutrient quality of the feather meal. The crude protein content reached 78.18%, marking a significant increase compared to other methods. Additionally, the levels of essential amino acids were promising, with isoleucine (14,763.26 µg/g), histidine (12,043.83 µg/g), glycine (326.51 µg/g), methionine (138.17 µg/g), arginine (33,321.63 µg/g), phenylalanine (22,815.65 µg/g), and leucine (44,511.41 µg/g). These results highlight the high potential of fermented feather meal as a high-quality protein source.

Beyond addressing livestock waste management, this research offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for aquaculture feed. Feed constitutes 60–70% of total fish farming production costs. By utilizing by-products such as fermented chicken feathers, economic efficiency can be improved without compromising feed quality or fish growth. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the biological performance of fish fed with this alternative, including parameters such as growth, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), digestibility, and fish health. Although the high nutritional value of the processed feathers has been established, protein digestibility remains a major challenge. The keratin structure in feathers is difficult for fish to digest, requiring advanced biotechnological approaches such as the use of specific microbes or more efficient proteolytic enzymes for keratin hydrolysis.

Dr. Desy Putri Handayani, S.Pi., one of the lead researchers, stated that utilizing waste or by-products as a feed resource is a strategic step toward reducing production costs in aquaculture. “However, the application of chicken feather meal requires long-term research due to its low digestibility. Approaches such as microbial fermentation or safer and more efficient enzymatic hydrolysis technologies are needed,” she explained. She further emphasized that although chicken feathers hold immense potential as a protein source, technical challenges must be scientifically addressed. This research received funding support from the Doctoral Competency Enhancement Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada. It reflects UGM’s commitment to fostering applied research innovation focused on sustainability and local resource empowerment. The study aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Author: Annisa Yustisia
Editors: Nahla Alfiatunnisa, S.Pi., Dr. Mukti Aprian, S.Kel., M.Si. (Han)

Becoming a Master of Science Through Perseverance and an Unyielding Spirit: The Story of a Fisheries Science Graduate from UGM

News Friday, 16 May 2025

Yogyakarta – The postgraduate graduation ceremony at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) this time highlighted an inspiring figure from the Department of Fisheries. Ihda Khozainul Busyro, a graduate of the Master’s Program in Fisheries Science, successfully completed his studies with a unique and challenging research project. He investigated the allergenic potential of Anisakis, a parasitic worm commonly found in marine fish. The choice of this topic was driven by the importance of food safety issues, particularly the allergic reactions that may be triggered by Anisakis. Research on Anisakis allergens remains scarce in Indonesia, making this study highly novel and valuable.

The research journey of Ihda Khozainul Busyro—often called Khozin—was not an easy one. He began by developing a basic understanding of Anisakis and allergen concepts, as this topic was vastly different from his undergraduate research. The allergen detection process took considerable time and faced many obstacles. However, his persistence and determination eventually led to satisfying results. His success would not have been possible without the guidance of his academic supervisors, Mgs. Muh Prima Putra and Eko Setyobudi, and the support of his peers.

One of Khozin’s most memorable experiences during his studies was joining the UGM Fisheries Media Team. This activity gave him the opportunity to grow beyond the laboratory and expand his knowledge in science communication. Khozin emphasized that fisheries science contributes greatly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as the conservation of biological resources, blue economy development, technological innovation, and ocean-based food security. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in the industry while remaining open to opportunities in research or doctoral studies.

As advice to fellow master’s students, Khozin encourages them to stay motivated and persistent, especially when facing obstacles in their research. Engaging in discussions with peers can offer new perspectives and unexpected solutions. For him, every moment of the journey has shaped his character and taught him invaluable lessons, ultimately leading to his Master of Science degree. He hopes that UGM’s Master’s Program in Fisheries Science will continue to grow and become one of the leading programs at the national level.

Khozin’s research on Anisakis significantly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2: Zero Hunger – improving food safety in fishery products, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – identifying allergen risks in seafood for public health, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – promoting safe and responsible consumption and production of marine food, and SDG 14: Life Below Water – supporting the sustainable management of marine resources.

Author: Sheva Muhammad Althaf

Editor: Nahla Alfiatunnisa, S.Pi.

SinnTech 24 Highlights the Use of Local Ingredients for Fish Feed: A Sustainable Solution for Aquaculture

News Friday, 2 May 2025

Yogyakarta, April 30, 2025 – A webinar titled “Utilization of Local Raw Materials for Fish Feed: A Sustainable Solution for Aquaculture” was successfully held as part of the SinnTech 24 event series. Attended by dozens of participants including academics and staff from various fisheries and marine institutions across Indonesia, this webinar served as a scientific forum to discuss efforts in utilizing local raw materials to support sustainability in the aquaculture feed industry.

The event featured two expert speakers who shared insights on innovative alternative feed ingredients for fish. The first speaker, Associate Professor Dr. Ainulyakin H. Imlani from Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, presented a talk titled “Potential Alternative Indigenous Aquaculture Feed Stuffs.” Dr. Ainulyakin emphasized that the current reliance on conventional feed materials such as fishmeal and soybean meal is unsustainable due to their decreasing availability, caused by overfishing and land-use changes. He introduced a variety of local feed materials such as plants, insects, algae, and agro-industrial by-products—including palm kernel cake and brewer’s spent grain—which are considered to be both nutritious and cost-effective as fish feed components.

The second speaker, Dr. Senny Helmiati, S.Pi., M.Sc., from the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, presented her research findings in a talk titled “Exploration of Local Ingredient for Aquafeed in Indonesia.” Dr. Senny highlighted the potential of insects and plants as alternative fish feed ingredients. She specifically discussed the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae as a highly promising alternative protein source. Based on the data presented, various cultivation media—such as palm kernel meal, coffee waste, bread waste, and fermented waste—can yield maggots with diverse and high nutritional content, particularly in terms of protein, fat, and energy. This research shows that managing local organic waste can offer a dual benefit: reducing waste while producing high-quality feed ingredients.

The webinar topic aligns strongly with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 14: Life Below Water. Utilizing local materials and organic waste for fish feed not only supports food security but also aids in preserving marine ecosystems and promotes responsible production and consumption practices. This webinar demonstrated that innovation based on local wisdom and renewable resources is key to building a more sustainable aquaculture system.

Author: Galuh Wulanuari
Editors: Dr. Mukti Aprian, S.Kel., M.Si (Han), and Nahla Alfiatunnisa, S.Pi.