Single‐cell protein: Current status and future prospects

Abstract

The consumption of microorganisms by man and animals is not a revolutionary new idea. For thousands of years man has consumed, either intentionally or unintentionally, such products as alcoholic beverages, cheeses, yogurt, and soya sauce and, along with these products, the microbial biomass responsible for their production. The rapid growth rate and high protein content of microbes and their ability to utilize inexpensive feedstocks as sources of carbon and energy for growth have made microorganisms prime candidates for use as human food and animal feed protein supplements. Yet, in spite of their promise, only a limited number of commercial-scale, single-cell protein (SCP) processes have been seen. Recently, with the advent of recombinant DNA technology a rebirth of interest in SCP has resulted. This review analyzes the answers to two questions: (1) how far have we come?; and (2) what impact, if any, will the new biotechnologies have in this field?

Growth performance and hemobiochemical parameters in South African dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus, Sciaenidae) offered brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a feed additive

“…Moreno, Sanchez‐Dmontero, Ballesteros, and Sinisterra () discovered that most SCPs have high concentrations of nucleic acids, with brewer's yeast nucleic acid nitrogen making up to 20–25% of the nitrogen (Rumsey, Hughes, et al, ). Excess dietary nucleic acid supply has been reported to be toxic in most monogastric animals and humans as the capacity to excrete uric acid is limited, leading to suppressed growth and metabolism disorders (Tusé, ). However, because of their active liver uricase, fish have been reported to cope with an excess of dietary nucleic acid supply (De la Huiguera, Sanchez‐Muniz, Mataix, & Varela, ).…”

Resource Recovery from Wastewater by Biological Technologies: Opportunities, Challenges, and Prospects

“…Various sources of SCP were trialed as feed additives for cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, and fish (Hintz et al, 1966). The main advantages of microorganisms for protein production are rapid growth, high protein content and the ability to grow on a wide range of substrates (Tusé and Miller, 1984). These alternatives are less dependent (or not at all) of climate, weather, soil characteristics and available land (Moraine et al, 1979).…”

Socio-ecological biotechnology concepts for developing countries

“…The potential use of single-cell protein as an alternative supplement in animal and human diets has promoted research on the microbial fermentation of various starchy substrates (Reade & Gregory 1975;MacLennan 1976;Azoulay et al 1980;Opoku & Adoga 1980;Yousri 1982;Touzi et al 1982;Neumann et al 1984;Tan et al 1984;Tuse 1984;Ringpfeil & Heinritz 1986). Starch saccharification by acid or enzyme hydrolysis is commonly used in the industrial ethanol and fructose sweetener production in the USA (Torrey 1983) and amyloglucosidase production uses mainly Aspergillus niger (Alazard & Raimbault 1981;Fogarty & Benson 1983), although other fungi have also been investigated (Kassim 1983;Saha & Ueda 1983;Grigorov et al 1983;.…”