2025
Upscaling, formulation and technoeconomic assessment of biofertilizer from soybean meal
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
CarbonFermentationFertilizerNitrogen fixation
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Ademola Hammed, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Ahmed Harb Rabia, North Dakota State University
Ewumbua Monono, North Dakota State University
Niloy Chandra Sarker, North Dakota State University
+2 More
Project Code:
NDSC_2025_New Uses 5
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Fertilizer is an integral part of farming because it improves crop yield and farmer gains. Since the
production ammonia used for fertilizer is heavily dependent on fossil fuel, fertilizer production is
affected by political instability, war, energy crises and environmental issues. This is evident in
global increase in fertilizer price, recently. One way out is to develop sustainable solution using
nitrogen rich resource such as soybean meal (SBM). However, direct application of SBM as
fertilizer hinders seed germination because it is toxic to crops. Our previous studies have shown
that SBM can be fermented to bio-ammonia for making fertilizer. The fermentation step
mitigates problems...
Information And Results
Project Summary

Fertilizer is an integral part of farming because it improves crop yield and farmer gains. Since the
production ammonia used for fertilizer is heavily dependent on fossil fuel, fertilizer production is
affected by political instability, war, energy crises and environmental issues. This is evident in
global increase in fertilizer price, recently. One way out is to develop sustainable solution using
nitrogen rich resource such as soybean meal (SBM). However, direct application of SBM as
fertilizer hinders seed germination because it is toxic to crops. Our previous studies have shown
that SBM can be fermented to bio-ammonia for making fertilizer. The fermentation step
mitigates problems associated with direct SBM application. We aim to further upscale and
develop the bio-ammonia to fertilizer and carry out a techno-economic analysis (TEA). Using our
bio-ammonia as a base material, we will add other necessary compounds to formulate fertilizer
that will be tested with ND-crops. Then, the overall process will be thoroughly subject to TEA
using computer models of different scenarios. This research would not only inform the economic
viability and scalability of our process but also elucidate the efficacy of our fertilizer compared to
the conventional counterpart. Through careful experimentation and economic evaluation, the
research intends to offer soybean farmers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to chemical
fertilizers, potentially stabilizing fertilizer supply and increasing profitability, contributing to soil
health and environmental sustainability.

Project Objectives

i. To develop an upscaled soybean meal-based-fertilizer bioprocess
ii. To identify the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of soybean meal-based fertilizer

Project Deliverables

i. Information on bioprocess upscaling of soybean meal-based fertilizer.
ii. Applicability of soybean meal-based fertilizer for ND-crops.
iii. Cost benefits of using soybean meal-based fertilizer
iv. Information about potential new use of soybean products.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

This research will make upscaling production of soybean meals to fertilizer feasible and
make soybean meals gain economic value. Lowering fertilizer cost. The biofertilizer will also
benefit farmers to increase their crop yield. Eventually soybean meals will be purchased and
used by the industries.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.