Unicellular protein

Single cell protein ( english single cell protein SCP), also single-celled protein, is a protein-rich substance that is mainly used since the 1970s as a protein- and vitamin-containing animal feed. Microorganisms build proteins and amino acids in mass cultures in bioreactors from simple and inexpensive organic substances and are then “harvested”. The microorganisms used include, for example, feed yeasts such as Candida or Pichia and bacteria such as Methylophilus and Methylomonas . Even algae are used.

Methanol or methane , for example , which are converted by methylotrophic bacteria, serve as organic substances . Also ethanol can act as a substrate. In general, the mass crops grow on waste or by-products from agriculture and the food industry . The high growth rate and yield of the cultures are great advantages. Compared to the soy plant , the biomass produced with it has a higher protein content. If yeasts are used, the vitamin content is also increased. There are also disadvantages to the SCP. The proportion of some amino acids can be too low, and it also contains nucleic acids and fats , which can be undesirable. Apart from that, there is a risk that toxic mycotoxins will be produced.

For cost reasons, SCP cannot compete with soy, alfalfa or fish meal .

literature

• Katharina Munk (Ed.): Pocket textbook Biology: Microbiology . Thieme Verlag Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-13-144861-3 , pp. 561-562.
• Cleanthis J. Israelidis: Nutrition - Single Cell Protein, Twenty Years Later
• Single-Cell Protein (SCP) ( Memento from June 9, 2012 in the Internet Archive )