Single cell protein , An alternate source of protein

Single cell protein

• As our population is increasing, It will be difficult to meet the demand for cereals, pulses, vegetables, and fruits by conventional agricultural practices. 

• More than 25 % of the population is suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Hence , one of the alternate source of protein for animals and human nutrition is single cell protein (SCP).

• Term Single cell protein is given by Carroll L. Wilson. It refers to any mass of  microbes like bacteria, yeast , filamentous algae that can be used as food.

• On average ,the microbial biomass contains about 50% protein along with other essential nutrients.

Microbes used in production of single cell protein

• The production of protein at large scale by microbial biomass has various advantages.

• Microbes have a high rate of multiplication and can grow at a large number of carbon sources and most microbes can grow on different waste products.

• The strains of microbes that are involved in production of single cell protein, can be selected easily and grow for the production of protein.

• A wide variety of microorganisms can be used for manufacture of single cell protein.

• Spirulina, a blue green algae , is cultured and dried to form gram tablets. For the production of Singles cell protein , desired microorganism is cultured on suitable medium.

• A product protein is made up of the bacterium Methylophilus methylotrophus. These  bacteria act on methanol, which is a waste product of certain chemical processes.

• A fungus Fusarium graminearum that is grown on floor waste, produces single cell protein  Mycoprotein.

• Several species of yeast like Candida, Endomycopsis, Debaryomyces are also good sources of single cell protein.

• These types of yeast can grow on methanol, ethanol , starch, molasses, cheese whey etc.