Question

Write a note on single-cell protein

Answer 1

Microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, algae, etc.) which can be cultured on a commercial scale in a fermenter, treated in various ways, dried, and used as a food source or as animal feed are called single-cell protein or the production of edible proteins on a large scale by means of microorganisms for animal and human nutrition is called single-cell protein

Complete answer: The raw materials used for single-cell protein production include whey, sulphite waste liquors, hydrocarbon waste from petroleum industry; wastewater (containing starch) from potato processing plants; straw, molasses, and animal manure.
The microorganisms are grown in large fermenting tanks with forced aeration for vigorous cell growth.
The common microorganisms used in the production of single-cell protein include –
Yeasts,
Moulds (Aspergillus, penicillium , etc.)
Algae (Scenedesmus, spirulina etc. ).
Production of protein is much promising by this method as the microorganisms grow very fast and synthesis proteins. It has been calculated that 100 lbs of yeast produce about 250 tons protein within 24 hours.

Additional Information: Advantages of single-cell protein :
1. The SCP is rich in high-quality protein and poor in fat content
2. The SCP can be produced in laboratories all the year-round
3. The microorganisms used in the production of SCP are very fast-growing and produce large amounts of SCP from a relatively very small area of land.
4. The cost of production is less as compared to the amount of protein produced.

Note: The fact that protein deficiency is becoming alarming as a large number of the human population is suffering from hunger and malnutrition and the protein and vitamins can be obtained from moulds (i.e. Mushrooms, Yeasts, etc. ) led to the idea to produce edible proteins in a large scale from microorganisms.