A group of scientists from the Department of Chemical Cybernetics of KNRTU has developed a high-protein fodder concentrate from white lupine seeds of Dega variety. The product can become an alternative to soybean in feed for farm animals and birds. The technology and the product itself were created within the framework of KNRTU participation in Priority 2030 program.

“The increase in nutritional properties of lupin is achieved through successive processes of heat treatment and biotechnology, which allow to increase the protein content in the final product by 12%. The quality indicators are comparable to soybean oil meal”, said Dmitriy Prosvirnikov, Project Leader, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Chemical Cybernetics of KNRTU.

The obtained pilot batch of high-protein product is currently undergoing zootechnical tests at the Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after N.E. Bauman.

Our scientists are also planning to improve the commercial product by increasing the share of protein and improving the amino acid composition by introducing fodder yeast obtained from by-product of primary biotechnological processing of lupine. This achieves full deep processing of lupine into a protein concentrate with a protein content up to 80% (the similar figure for soybean oil meal is 49-51%).

“Lupin was widely used by Soviet agrarians, but was almost completely displaced by imported soybeans, which had more protein. Today, soybeans are a kind of monopolist in the protein feedstock, where foreign suppliers with high prices prevail. We offer a domestic, inexpensive and convenient alternative”, explains Dmitriy.

Comparing the cost of unpretentious lupine, which is 3.5 times lower than imported soybean oil meal, the suggested technology and product are already arousing great interest on the behalf of agricultural manufacturers.