Life cycle assessment from early development stages: the case of gelatin extracted from tilapia residues

Purpose The skin and other residues that arise from the production of tilapia fillets can be used as feedstock for gelatin extraction. To derive maximum benefit from these residues, two gelatin extraction processes were developed at the laboratory scale: process A that used Nile tilapia skin as feedstock and process B that used residues from the extraction of mechanically separated tilapia meat. This study initially evaluates the environmental impact of these two extraction processes at the laboratory stage to determine the relative impacts of each one. Scenario analysis is performed for the choices available at the laboratory stage, regarding the use of reagents. Furthermore, the laboratory process with the lowest environmental impacts is scaled to a pilot plant and its performance evaluated.