University of Missouri

Transcript

Brian Consiglio: Asian carp are the most invasive fish in North America. They outcompete native fish, which decreases the biodiversity of our waterways, and also threaten both the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

Now, a researcher at the university of Missouri, Mark Morgan, has found a way to address malnutrition and food insecurity around the world by crushing these fish, which contain many nutritional benefits, into a fine powder.

Morgan: “Preliminary results indicate that Asian carp contain high amounts of protein, iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, Omega 3 fatty acids, and all 9 essential amino acids. In other words, they are a super food in disguise.”

Consiglio: Once the fish are pulverized and converted into a dry powder, they can be stored for long periods of time without needing refrigeration or freezing. Morgan’s method can provide a cheap and efficient source of nutrition to many of the estimated 2 billion people facing food insecurity worldwide, while helping reduce the population of an invasive species at the same time.

Morgan: “In the United States, tons of Asian carp are being dumped into landfills while people around the world are dying from malnutrition. The primary objective of my research is to feed needy people using an inexpensive, but nutrient rich, food source.”

Consiglio: I’m Brian Consiglio, with a Spotlight on Mizzou.

Learn more about the research here