研究影響個案

Prof. WONG Ming Hung joined EdUHK as Research Chair Professor [2013-2016], then Advisor of Environmental Science [2017-]. A research team was formed after Drs. MAN Yu Bon and MO Wing Yin joined EdUHK as Post-Doctoral Fellows to manage two relevant projects. They are now Associated Professor and Assistant Professor at EdUHK, and Hong Kong Metropolitan University, respectively. Food waste from local hotels and restaurants is used as major raw materials to produce high-quality fish feeds for growing commercial fish species to ease waste disposal pressure of the existing landfills and develop sustainable local fish farming simultaneously. 

The first relevant project sponsored by the Environmental and Conservation Fund (ECF: HK$1.9 million) aimed to reactivate some abandoned local fishponds. Food waste was used as feed ingredients, replacing a major part of the fishmeal contained in commercial fish feeds for growing low-trophic level freshwater fish: bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella). It was observed that fish fed with FWBFs were safe for consumption, with acceptable levels of heavy metals, when compared with those fed commercial pellets [Refer to Section (3) References to the research, R1]. Based on the results, the research team was granted HK$4.5 million for an Innovation Technology Fund (ITF) (Innovation and Technology Bureau) in 2015, targeting a more indepth study of recycling food waste for farming two important freshwater fish species: Nile tilapia (Oreochroms mossambcus) and jade perch (Scortum barcoo). The quality of FWBFs was improved by adding Chinese herbal medicine ingredients, probiotics, and other active ingredients, leading to enhanced fish growth and immunity [R2]. It was indicated that the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and HMs contained in the cultured fish were safe for consumption [R3 and R4]. To broaden the usage of FWBFs in farming marine fish with higher nutritional requirements, a follow-up study was conducted with the support of HK$8.45 million from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund (SFDF) in 2017. After trying different FWBF formulas, it was revealed that a particular formula was well suited for farming Sabah giant grouper (E. fuscoguttatus × E. lanceolatus), a very popular marine fish cultured locally. Furthermore, major environmental contaminants: PAHs and dioxins in the cultured fish were significantly lower than in the market fish (of the same species). The feed formula was further upgraded by incorporating spirulina, a blue-green alga (Spirulina platensis). Results showed that supplementing fish diets with 5% of spirulina could improve the growth of the fish [R5 and R6]. 

The use of FWBF instead of commercial fish feeds for fish farming could save up to 28.5% (2017), 24.5% (2017), and 28.6% (2019) of the total production cost for Nile tilapia, jade perch, and Sabah giant grouper, respectively. Moreover, the fish products produced are safe for human consumption with acceptable levels of significant pollutants: HMs [R5], PAHs [R5], and dioxins. Based on the results, it could be safely concluded that there is an excellent potential for using FWBF as an alternative to commercial feeds for cultivating safe and quality freshwater and marine fish at a lower cost.

2016 to present

[R1] Cheng Z, Lam CL, Mo WY, Nie XP, Choi WM, Man YB, Wong MH (2016). Food wastes as fish feeds for polyculture of low-trophic-level fish: bioaccumulation and health risk assessments of heavy metals in the cultured fish. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23:7195-203. 

[R2] Mo WY, Lun CHI, Choi WM, Man YB, Wong MH (2016). Enhancing growth and nonspecific immunity of grass carp and Nile tilapia by incorporating Chinese herbs (Astragalus membranaceus and Lycium barbarum) into food waste-based pellets. Environmental Pollution 219: 475-482. 

[R4] Mo WY, Man YB#, Zhang F, Wong MH (2019). Fermented food waste for culturing jade perch and Nile tilapia: Growth performance and health risk assessment based on metal/loids. Journal of Hazardous Materials 236: 236-44. (# Co-first author) 

[R5] Man YB, Mo WY, Zhang F, Wong MH (2020). Health risk assessments based on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in freshwater fish cultured using food waste-based diets. Environmental Pollution 256, 113380. 

[R5] Man YB, Zhang F, Ma KL, Mo WY, Kwan HS, Chow KL, Man KY, Tsang YF, Li WC and Wong MH, 2020. Growth and intestinal microbiota of Sabah giant grouper reared on food waste -based pellets supplemented with spirulina as a growth promoter and alternative protein source. Aquaculture Reports, 18, 100553. 

[R6] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund) (SFDF 0023), 2016-2019, Safe and Quality Fish Production: Development of High Grade Pellets Using Food Wastes for Three Popular Marine Fish (HK$84,500,000)(Wong MH (PI), Man YB (Co-I), Mo WY (Co-I)).

The International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva is the world's most prestigious innovation exhibition, arranged under the patronage of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of the Swiss Government and City of Geneva. The annual exhibition is a major global event dedicated to innovation and to new products. The research team won a Silver Medal at the 47th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva (12 April 2019), due to the positive impact on the reuse of food waste and sustainable fish farming [Refer to Section vii, C1]. The research outputs also received the “Research Output Prize” of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Science (EdUHK) in 2020 [C1]. 

Recycling food waste into fish feeds reduces food waste and eases associated disposal problems and lowers the cost of producing feed pellets (20 % lower than the commercial fish feed, in general). Local fish farmers would be benefited from the lower cost of fish feeds for growing quality fish. The research team has filed a patent for FWBF formula: and ‘Production process and user instructions for Nile tilapia’ (CN201810473652.5) [C2]. Our industry partner (Kowloon Environmental Development Limited) has benefited from producing safe, and good quality food waste-based fish feeds at a lower cost [C3]. “The price of the FWBF was about 20% lower than commercial fish feed. I strongly believe that the sales of FWBF would be more competitive than commercial fish feeds available in the local market” [C3] 

The research work has also attracted public attention to reusing food resources (recycling food waste into valuable products). A series of reports and news related to the topic can be accessed on the websites [C4]. Promotions were also made on various occasions, including public events, innovation exhibitions and trade fairs in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas etc. [C5]. Accordingly, the research team has also shared its work with policymakers and relevant professionals at The 3rd and 4th of International Conference on Biological Waste as Resource in 2018 and 2019 [C6]. It is believed that the technology has been disseminated to the government, fish farmers, and relevant professionals and industrialists via a series of knowledge transformation and technical training workshops. The research team has been invited to deliver a talk (26 Nov 2020 and 15 July 2011) on this impact case study, sponsored by the AFCD and Business Environment Council, aiming to promote the FWBFs to fish farmers, recyclers, and fish feed producers, to transform the raw materials into valuable fish feeds for sustainable fish farming [C7]. 

The FWBFs effectively foster safe and quality fish products with acceptable levels of HMs (such as mercury), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), and dioxins, which are critical environmental contaminants when considering food safety. This will directly lead to higherquality fish products carrying lower contaminants. The general public can also benefit from consuming these fish products when they are introduced in the local fish markets [C8]. 

Impact on education and student learning: The evident-based research outcome of the study was knowledge transferred into teaching materials for students at EdUHK. In addition, Dr MAN Yu Bon is invited by the Education Bureau to give a talk on “Food safety, organic agriculture and sustainable development” (27 Nov 2020), sharing this research impact case study with more than 99 liberal studies teachers; and invited talked on using food waste for feed production by 第二十四屆常識百搭教師講座 )19 Oct 2021. In addition, the research also used to train primary school student in workshops via the project Education Bureau (Gifted Education Fund), 2021-2022, Engaging gifted students in inquiry to meet the sustainable development goals (SGDs) proposed by the United Nations Foundation, video was produced to promote Research on Using Food Waste for Fish via Central Reserve Allocation Committee, EdUHK Quality General Studies e-learning resources for Free and Open Use and [C9]. 

The results derived from our studies have been published in 31 international scientific journals, 1 book chapter, and 1 magazine. In addition, presentations (as plenary/invited talks) were made at several international meetings.

Remarks: 

1. Impact: 1 Oct 2019 to 30 Sep 2025, underpinned by research undertaken at, or significantly supported by, the submitting university during the period from 1 Jan 2006 to 30 Sep 2025
2. Staff eligibility: FT staff with at least 36 months covering the census date (1 Jan 2006 to 30 Sep 2025) 

[C1] Awards: 

[C2] Patents: 

[C3] Letter from the feed production company: 

[C4] Reports and news: 

[C5] Exhibitions and trade fairs: 

[C6] International conferences: 

[C7] Symposium: 

[C8] Food safety: 

[C9] Education: 

For the details of C1 to C9, please refer to the Appendix below: 

[C1] Awards: 
The 47th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (12 April 2019) Research output prize (Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Science, 24 Sept 2020) 

[C2] Patents: 
Formulation for Nile tilapia pellets - Filing #:201810473652.5 (application filed) 

[C3] Letter from the feed production company: 
Mr. Wong Yuk Chun, Founder/Director of Kowloon Environmental Development Limited [On file] 

[C4] Reports and news: 
Topic: Researchers make fish feed from food waste https://www.savingseafood.org/science/researchers-make-fish-feed-from-food-waste/ 
Topic: EdUHK Researchers Develop Cleaner, Affordable Fish Feed from Food Waste https://qswownews.com/eduhk-researchers-develop-clean-affordable-fish-feed-from-food-waste/ 
Topic: Researchers make fish feed from food waste https://phys.org/news/2020-07-fish-food.html 
Topic: Integrated Pond Fish Farming Using Food Wastes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbBGLrgbOTA 
Topic:厨余再造鱼粮/疫情下点环保? https://gbcode.rthk.hk/TuniS/www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/climate_watcher2017/episode /673255 
Topic: 廚餘再造魚糧/水資源危機 https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/climate_watcher2017/episode/680349 

[C5] Exhibitions and trade fairs: 

1. (21-29 Oct 2017, HK Science Park)
2. (16-21 Nov 2017, Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre)
3. (18-20 Dec 2017, China Import and Export Fair, Guangzhou)
4. (12 April 2019), Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva
5. Exhibition of The Education University of Hong Kong Foundation Thanksgiving Reception “Fish Feeds from Food Wastes for Sustainable Fish” at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong (24 Oct 2022)
6. Set up a demonstration booth “Food waste-based fish feed for fish” at EdUHK library for visit of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam (26 July 2021)
7. Set up demonstration unit at EdUHK and production of a booklet “Waste-to-Wealth” (The Knowledge Transfer Sub-office, Research and Development Office at EdUHK, 2020 Sustainable Aquaculture in Big Bay Area, through Using Food Waste for Fish Culture: Promotion and Demonstration. (HK$ 200,000) Co-Principal Investigator 

[C6] International conferences: 
The 3rd International Conference on Biological Waste as Resource 2018, Hong Kong. https://www.eduhk.hk/ses/web/news_detail.php?id=167 
The 4th International Conference on Biological Waste as Resource 2019, Korea. http://www.bwr2019.org/ 

[C7] Symposium: 

1. 活動：「漁業持續發展基金」 工作坊 
   日期：2020 年 11 月 26 日 (星期四) 
   對像：優質養魚場代表、餐飲業代表(50 人) 
   流程：3:00-3:45pm「將廚餘製造飼料」研討會 (黃銘洪教授-香港教育大學顧問)、黃 旭進-九龍環境處理發展有限公司) 
              3:45-4:30pm「廚餘從餐桌到魚場」工作坊 (所有與會者) 
              4:30-5:00pm 業務聯繫 (優質養魚場代表、餐飲業代表) 
   地點：康得思酒店 7 樓 - 宴會廳 III （旺角朗豪坊旁邊） 
    
2. 活動:「漁業持續發展基金」工作坊 2: 「廚餘製造海水魚飼料」研討會 (漁農自然護 理署舉辦) (2021年7月15 日) 

[C8] Food safety: 
Topic title: 教院研健康魚糧 減魚類體內毒素 https://hk.sports.yahoo.com/news/%E6%95%99%E9%99%A2%E7%A0%94%E5%81%A5%E5 %BA%B7%E9%AD%9A%E7%B3%A7- %E6%B8%9B%E9%AD%9A%E9%A1%9E%E9%AB%94%E5%85%A7%E6%AF%92%E7%B 4%A0-215632336.html 

[C9] Education: 

1. Workshop: Food waste management for primary level 5 and 6 students, 24 and 31 December 2022, supported by Education Bureau (Gifted Education Fund), 2021-2022, Engaging gifted students in inquiry to meet the sustainable development goals (SGDs) proposed by the United Nations Foundation (HK$ 1,298,150) Co-Investigator
2. 邀請演講: 第二十四屆常識百搭教師講座: 廚餘再造魚糧 (2021年10月19日)
3. 课程：高中通識教育知識增益系列：食物安全、有機農業與可持續發展（新辦）網上 課程 (教育局) 
   日期：二零二零年十一月二十七日（星期五） 
   時間：下午三時至五時 
   主講人：李偉展博士，文裕邦博士
4. Central Reserve Allocation Committee, EdUHK Quality General Studies e-learning resources for Free and Open Use, 2020-2023, 常識小劇場 (第三個系列以「STEM世代優質生活」, 廚 餘是廢物?