Turning Wastewater from the Tuna Canning Industry into Protein-Rich Biomass through the Culture of Marine Microorganisms

Correct management of fish canning industry effluents is essential to avoid environmental impact, nutrient loss, and to achieve circularity within the sector. Brines, in particular, are difficult to treat using conventional methods due to their high salinity and organic load. As an alternative, halophilic microorganisms capable of degrading organic matter and utilizing it for growth offer an opportunity to valorize brines.

Objective: This study explores the feasibility of integrating brines from tuna canning plants into the cultivation of Thraustochytrids to produce protein-rich biomass that can be introduced into the agrifood sector's value chain.