RESEARCH ARTICLE

From residual biomass to novel feed ingredients for pigs, broilers and fish: A methodology for integrating feed formulation and consequential life cycle assessment

Cleaner and Circular Bioeconomy · 10 August 2026 · DOI 10.1016/j.clcb.2026.100221

Researchers combined market-based feed formulation with consequential life cycle assessment to test four residual-biomass ingredients in diets for pigs, sows, broilers and fish. The options were bacterial protein using manure-derived methane, fungal protein using sugars from wheat straw, protein concentrate from sugar beet leaves, and black soldier fly meal produced on food waste. Bacterial protein delivered the largest environmental gains across species, reflecting its production impact, dietary inclusion level and reduction of soybean meal. Standard substitution proxies overstated climate savings by 14–38%.