TECH OFFERS

Feed cost generally accounts for 60% to 70% of the total production costs in an intensive shrimp aquaculture system. Fishmeal, which is often the main ingredient of shrimp feed, is one of the reasons for the high cost. It is also unsustainable to use fishmeal as it is derived from fish, contributing to the depletion of other fish species on a global scale. The technology offer is an alternative protein source in shrimp feed that uses okara, a nutrient-dense side stream from soy milk and bean curd production. Direct application of unprocessed okara into shrimp feed may work, however, due to the presence of anti-nutrients, the absorption of protein and amino acids from the okara may be limited. The technology developer has formulated a shrimp feed with an optimum amount of processing to increase the digestibility and enhance the nutritional properties and at the same time lowering the cost of shrimp feed by up to 50%. Currently, the developer has developed shrimp feed suitable for L. vannamei shrimp species with complete or partial replacement of animal protein which is fish meal. The technology is available for IP licensing and IP acquisition as well as R&D collaboration with industrial partners who are keen to adopt the solution.  Okara are high in insoluble fiber, proteins, unsaturated fats and isoflavones The okara-based formulation is optimised with minimum processing to increase the protein digestibility and enhance the bioavailability of nutrients Lower cost feeds using nutrient-dense side stream Shrimp fed with okara-based feed showed comparable growth rate as the group fed with commercial diet. There is an increase in the length and weight growth of the shrimp The shrimp feed uses okara, which is rich in proteins, may help the local and Southeast Asian shrimp farmers to reduce the cost of shrimp farming as well as contribute to circular economy by using agro-industrial side stream. The developed formulation is done based on L. vannamei shrimp, a high demand commonly consumed shrimp species in Singapore. The nutritional composition can be tailored for different species, and maybe be applied to mollusks and fish as a feed ingredient. An alternative nutrient source for shrimp feed allows for the sustainability of food supply and the reduction of food production side streams. Furthermore, it also reduces the fishmeal dependency on finite marine resources. The processed okara serves as a cost-effective plant-based functional ingredient that helps to increase the growth rates and maintain the survivability of shrimps. At the same time, lowering the costs of feed for aquaculture farms without comprising shrimp health. The technology is available for IP licensing and IP acquisition as well as R&D collaboration with industrial partners who are keen to adopt the solution.   shrimp feed, okara feed, upcycle food, food waste, aquatic feed Life Sciences, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Waste Management & Recycling, Food & Agriculture Waste Management, Sustainability, Food Security

One-third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted. At the same time, millions of people are hungry and unable to afford a healthy diet. Having said that, food loss and waste could potentially impose food security and impact the world with nutrition, socioeconomic, and environmental issues.  This technology offer is a process technology that provides an efficient and environmentally friendly approach to utilise agri-food side stream and convert it to a valuable, high protein biomass. The technology develops precision approaches, i.e., the proper treatment methods for food sidestreams, specific separation means for target ingredients, suitable strains for protein production, and optimized operational conditions for the fermentation process. The process also utilises the inexpensive agri-food side stream as the novel feedstock for protein fermentation. The technology is available for R&D collaboration and test bedding, with partners that are interested in valorisation of food sidestreams to value-added edible protein. The technology owner is also keen to license and commercialize this technology. Some key features of the technology are as follows: - Bioconversion of food sidestreams to edible protein - Food sidestreams can be effectively treated to obtain the target ingredients - Suitable membrane technology separates target ingredients from treated food sidestreams efficiently - Specific strains can be isolated and used for the protein fermentation •         Food sidestreams treatment (enzymatic, physical and chemical methods) •         Membrane technology application (e.g., target ingredients separation) •         Strains isolation and culture •         Fermentation process optimisation •         Foods (e.g., alternative protein, sensory characteristic, nutritional benefit) •         Customised process and condition •         Environmentally sustainable food production through bioconversion •         Cost-efficient development with food sidestream as novel feedstock •         Scalable fermentation process •         CO2 mitigation by biomass growth which can lessen the environmental burden The technology is available for R&D collaboration and test bedding, with partners that are interested in valorisation of food sidestream to value-added edible protein. The technology owner is also keen to license and commercialize this technology. Foods, Ingredients, Waste Management & Recycling, Food & Agriculture Waste Management, Sustainability, Food Security

Singapore is currently only producing 13% of its vegetable consumption. With little farming land available, Singapore relies heavily on imports from other countries. Due to increasing focus on food security, the alternative to solve land scarcity problem is to build greenhouses on concrete rooftop. Although concrete rooftop greenhouse are able to keep pests out, there is a signifcant heating problem which severely inhibits the growth of the vegetables. Therefore, there is a need for a rooftop greenhouse that is able to actively cool itself to avoid such problem. This technology offer is a modular rooftop greenhouse farming system (hydroponics) capable of producing vegetables on concrete roofs to meet the local demand while reducing over-reliance on imports. The design of the greenhouse farming system enables cooling and does not heat up, thus allowing the growth of pest-free vegetables. The system is approximately the size of a typical carpark lot (2.5 x 5 m). The production rate is 30 kg per month (2.5 x 5 m size) and requires minimal human intervention. The technology offer comprises both the farming system and its operation know-how. The modular rooftop greenhouse farming system can be set-up within 3 days or scaled-up when required with guaranteed vegetable growth. The break-even cost of one greenhouse is about 3 years. The technology owner is seeking to out-license their technology. This technology offer is a temperature regulated and modular farming system (hydroponics) for rooftop farming. The features and specifications are as follows: Modular and scalable Flexible sizes (as small as 2.5 x 5 m) 30 kg/month (2.5 x 5 m size) Active cooling design (20% reduction in temperature) Passive system operation (minimal manpower) Anti-pest  Quick setup (3 days) Applicable for wide range of crops The main application for this technology is for those that are interested in rooftop farming. The potential applications are: Conversion of barren and unused concrete space into temporary/permanent arable land (eg. Carpark rooftops, schools, apartments, factories and floating platforms etc.) Can be applied to high-value crops Minimal human intervention is needed as the modular greenhouse farming system encompasses Internet of Thing (IoT) and automation Ability to scale-up immediately greenhouse, vegetable, urban farming, rooftop farming, bak choy, deep water culture hydroponics system, hydroponics, pesticide-free, farming IoT, farming automation Life Sciences, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Sustainability, Food Security

Different plant species have different nutrient requirements. The current practice of urban farming uses a generic hydroponic nutrient solution that is suitable to most plant types, and a crude sensing system that only measures total ion content in the solution. This approach often results in nutrients deficiency and/or overloading and hence requires consistently monitoring. Overloading of nutrients not only increases the input costs, it also results in greater quantities of contamination in effluent to be disposed after harvest.  A targeted hydroponic nutrient solution reduces the need to periodically adjust the nutrient. The technology provider has studied and formulated different nutrient recipes that had shown improved yield compared to commercial products. This ensures the best growth for each crop type. It also reduces common problem stemming from imbalanced nutrient, e.g. leaf chlorosis due to nutrient deficiency. All these translate to a better yield and a more marketable produce for the farmers. Formulations developed include Mizuna, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard, Kalian, and Caixin. The technology provider is seeking for licensing partners from the agriculture industry. The common practice of urban farming is to discard the spent nutrient solution after a few cycles of plant growth. A targeted hydroponics nutrient solution reduces the frequency needed to periodically adjust the nutrient. The technology provider has formulated the nutrient formulation that has considered the rate of nutrient uptake by the desired plant, the nutrient’s ratio and its availability in the solution. The formulation is specific to individual crop types and ensures the best growth for each crop type, e.g. lettuce or kale.  Indoor hydroponics farmers  Fertiliser / chemical production company may wish to market this as solution to farmers or to produce as off-the-shelf products for mass market consumer Agriscience company may package this as a solution to downstream clients   Increases yield (up to 20%) Reduces the manpower needed to monitor the nutrients intake of the plant More resource-efficient with lesser nutrient adjustment Reduces common problems stemming from imbalanced nutrients Sustainable, eco-friendly solution that can potentially lead to zero-wastage Better nutrition for the consumer nutrients solution, plant growth, crop optimisation, plant nutrients, nutrients recipes, nutrients formulations, kale, caixin, mizuna, kailan, mustard, lettuce Life Sciences, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Waste Management & Recycling, Food & Agriculture Waste Management, Sustainability, Food Security

This technology offer helps to address the problems of global warming, food security crisis and energy crisis. With the increase in human population and rapid urbanisation, the change in weather patterns and increase in food demand has been inevitable. One of the major concerns faced in Singapore, due to global warming, is the urban heat island effect. This occurs when urban areas in cities have a higher air, surface and soil temperature than rural areas. Initiatives for high-rise greenery has been put in place to help solve the problem. However, there has been problems with limited space and high maintenance cost for these greeneries. Rooftop hydroponics farming is a possible solution to offset the running costs of rooftop greeneries or even generate profits for rooftop greeneries as it produces fresh produce, while simultaneously reducing the urban heat island effect. The reduction in urban heat island is due to a combination of green and blue body acting as a thermal buffer and contributing to the building sustainability (due to reducing in cooling costs). This initiative addresses the constraints of limited land, as solar energy generators require large areas for photovoltaic panels to be laid. This technology offer aims to provide an integrated solution to this economic challenge for environmentally sustainable urban planning. This Technology Offer is a luminescent solar concentrator that enables both power generation by photovoltaic modules, as well as efficient urban rooftop farming. In rooftops where solar panels are used for power generation, real estate would be taken up by the solar panels, so farming cannot be done. If crops are placed under the solar cells to be grown, the growth rate will not be optimal due to the obstruction of sunlight by the solar panels. This technology features a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) film with organic dye which converts wavelengths not used in photosynthesis (green and yellow) to the red wavelength used for photosynthesis. This film is placed under the matrix of solar cells, and can be used to optimise the growth rates of crops placed under the solar cell matrix, so that solar power generation and rooftop farming can co-exist together. Know-how is also available to optimise the solar cell arrangement to maximise both solar cell power output and plant growth. The existing configuration has solar cell coverage of 54.1% which is able to maximise the amount of energy that could be harvested by the solar cells, and yet still ensure adequate light passing through the spacings between the solar cells to maximise the growth rate of the plants placed under the solar cells. This complete system is known as Wavelength Selective Photovoltaic (WSPV) system. The wavelength-selective solar photovoltaic system technology is suited for the following: Urban food production with simultaneous solar power generation Controlled plants R&D Industries that are interested to improve crops growth   Customer benefits includes: Optimise crop’s yield, yet achieving solar power generation Space saving Energy saving We are seeking industry partners to scale up, and to out-license the technology. Energy, Solar, Life Sciences, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Sustainability, Food Security

Food tracking and traceability systems can utilize Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and Internet-of-Thing (IoT) sensors to streamline the workflow of food supply chain management. Such a traceability system mitigates the complex business processes and speeds up the workflow of working through multiple business owners along the nodes in the value chain. This Technology Offer is a DLT application that can be used to manage the food supply chain. The technology aims to obtain transparency, ease of transactions and speed of delivery, synchronization, tracking and security. As an example, IoT sensors can be attached to livestock to obtain information about them from the source, and is uploaded to the ledger data of the node. When the livestock is shipped to the manufacturer, shipment tracking data can be uploaded. The transport is thus done with trackable ownership, possession and telemetry parameters such as location, temperature, humidity and activity. The manufacturer then processes the livestock, weighs the meat, packs and labels them. The label has a unique cryptographic QR code or NFC tag that links to the data citing the origins of the meat. The packaged meat is then shipped to the distributors, and eventually reaches the buyer. The final buyer can access a complete record of information and trust that the information is accurate and complete. This Technology Offer is developed using a state-of-the-art permissioned blockchain platform that enables businesses to transact directly and in strict privacy with one another. With this technology, the system can bring numerous benefits to the process owners and customers in the supply chain. Customers are more likely to trust the quality and safety of the food they consume. Food manufacturers and logistics companies could benefit from enhanced productivity, cost savings and boosted process transparency by eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries to handle monetary transactions. This allows businesses and their customers to interact and transact directly at lower costs. In terms of security, all contract transactions processed by the system are stored in chronological order in the blockchain and distributed across multiple systems. The transaction blocks are linked to each other and secured using well-established cryptography to provide high data integrity. No one can alter the contents of a block as all other nodes on the blockchain will detect this discrepancy and mark such an attempt as invalid. Regulators can also exploit the immutable feature of blockchain as an audit trail to verify compliance and detect fraud. DLT is important in the global food trade as it ensures food safety and underpins trust to the end consumers. This technology is targeted at corporations and supply chain management that deals with livestock. It can be used by supply chain management to trace the food from farm to fork. The software developed serves as a reference implementation for a food supply chain application. The target users are the process owners and consumers. This system can also be customised for other food industries such as halal, organic or agri-food industries. Currently, proof-of-concept stage has been completed, and this Technology Offer is available for industry partners for collaborations and potential licensing. Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Food Supply Chain Infocomm, Smart Cities, Blockchain & Other Distributed Ledgers, Sustainability, Food Security

The majority of the local indoor farmers grow crops that are harvested for their leaves. One way to increase the growth rate of such leafy greens is to provide a longer period of light. However, some of the crops grown, e.g., spinach, are long-day plants that flower when the light periods are longer than their critical day-length. While important to a plant’s life cycle, this vegetative to reproductive phase change is undesirable for farmers, not only because it shortens the harvest period hence reducing the yield, but also because it changes the taste profile. To tackle this problem, a light recipe that was able to suppress flowering was formulated. Plants grown under this light recipe showed a faster growth rate than those grown under flowering-suppressing short-day photoperiod. Moreover, they do not flower even when the light period has surpassed the critical day-length. Positive results were obtained when this light recipe was tested on spinach and arugula. This technology would work for other long-day crops, and it will be beneficial to indoor farmers who are interested to try it. The technology uses lights of different wavelengths to control the molecular switches, the phytochromes, of plants. It tricks the plant into suppressing its floral transition even when the long-day photoperiod is conducive for flowering. This is an improvement compared to the usual method of just providing short-day photoperiod to suppress flowering as the growth rate is now faster. This is particularly useful for crops, such as spinach and arugula, that can be harvested multiple times. With this extended harvest period, growers can have more cycles of continuous harvest within one batch of plant growth, thus increasing their yield. No additional chemical or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are used to achieve this flowering repression. This LED light recipe is suitable for: Farmers who are looking to improve and increase crop yields Indoor farms that use LED lightings Lighting developers or producers can be potential partners to provide this technology as a package. Customer benefits include - Increased yield through: The extended harvest period for crops that supports continuous harvesting Overall reduction of waiting time for plant establishment during lag phase Customizable recipes to suit different crop types We have completed the current proof-of-concept stage and are looking for project collaborators or consultancy projects to test the technology on the client’s crop choice. increase crop yield, growth rate, indoor farming, LED light recipe Life Sciences, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Sustainability, Food Security