Thesis Completed
The day has arrived – I submitted my thesis review paper entitled Sustainable Protein Supply from Grass-Based Biorefineries for Livestock Feed. An exciting objective from this research project is to submit to the review to Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, with the aim of it being accepted for publication in the coming weeks. I have been working on this review paper since May and I thoroughly enjoyed examining the related literature and discovering a wealth of knowledge relating to green biorefineries, circular economy transitions, and global soybean imports & exports.
These past few months have been both challenging and rewarding. Many hours of work were dedicated to complete the review paper as well as keeping up-to-date on blog posts and weekly emails throughout. I am thrilled to have completed the thesis and now I am looking forward to what the future beholds. I would like to thank all the supervisors involved with the thesis, the NUIG program supervisors; Prof Charles Spillane and Dr. Peter McKeown, and the Farm Zero C supervisors; James Gaffey, Tracey O’Connor and Theresa Rubhara. Their guidance and expertise throughout the duration of the research project was extraordinary.
In the review paper, I explored the potential of green biorefinery protein concentrates to serve as a sustainable protein alternative in conventional livestock diets. The paper consisted of qualitative methods to collect data through (1) a desk-top review of relevant literature on green biorefineries with specific emphasis on utilising the grass-derived protein concentrates in livestock feeds; and (2) a trial conducted to assess the potential of leaf protein concentrate to displace up to 50% of soybean meal in the diet of 9-week-old piglets.
There is a huge potential for Green Biorefineries to produce protein-rich feeds for the livestock sector as well as valuable by-products. By integrating the production of leaf protein concentrates within green biorefineries, it will encourage the establishment of production facilities and promote the development of a more sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural industry and bioeconomy. Green biorefineries also contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts.