Single Cell Protein

Figure by Sadia Akhtar


Single Cell Protein


Single Cell Protein (SCP) refers to edible unicellular organisms. The protein from pure or mixed cultures of yeasts, algae and bacteria may be used as ingredients or substitutes.

Microorganisms such as  yeasts, algae and bacteria can be cultivated on industrial waste or byproducts as nutrients to yield a large cell crop rich in
 protein.


Importance of Single Cell Protein:

Mass cultivation of yeast as well as algae and bacteria offers a possible source of food supplements or substitutes for human and animal consumption. 

Massive production of microbial cells may provide the way of filling up the protein gap in the world.
Bacterial cells grown on hydrocarbon waste from petroleum industry are a source of protein in France, Japan, Taiwan and India.
Yeast cell crop harvested from the vats used to produce alcoholic beverages.

The attractiveness of Single Cell Protein as food supplements or substitutes is apparent from these following characteristics:

1. Microorganisms grow very rapidly and produce several tons of proteins in one day.
For example,  1000 lb of yeast produce several tons of protein per day.
Algae grown in ponds can produce 20 tons of protein per acre pre year.
This yield is 10-15 times higher than soybean and 25-50 times higher than corn.

2. The protein content of microbial cells is very high. Dried cells of Pseudomonas spp. grown on petroleum products have 69% protein.
Yeast cell have protein content in a 40-50% range. For algae the range is from 20 - 40%.

3. The proteins of selected microorganisms contain all the essential amino acids.

4. Some microorganisms are highly  rich in vitamins.

5. The medium for growth of microorganisms may contain industrial wastes or byproducts, for example,  liquid paraffines from oil refineries, sulfite liquors from the pulp and paper industry,  beet molasses from sugar industry and wood hydrolysates.

Process of Single Cell Protein production:

The process used by British petroleum to produce single cell protein (SCP) from yeast cells grown in medium containing hydrocarbons (n-Alkanes). n-Alkanes are distilled for use in the fermenter. Minerals are added. Following fermentation the cells are separated and harvested by centrifuge and then dried for use as animal feed.


Advantages of Single Cell Protein (SCP):
a) have a high rate of multiplication, algae (2-6 hours), yeasts (1-3 hours), bacteria (0.5 -2 hours).
b) can be easily modified for varying the amino acids composition.
c) high protein content in dry weight.
d) can utilize  a broad spectrum of raw materials as carbon source, removing pollutants.
e) ecologically beneficial.
d) not dependent on time.

Disadvantages of Single Cell Protein:
a)poor digestibility
b) hypersensitive skin reaction
c) kidney stone formation
d) possibility for secondary toxic metabolites presence.
e) high content of nucleic acids lead to elevated levels of uric acids.

The Daily Youth- tdy24.com Present
"Single Cell Protein"
Written By
Sadia Akhtar
Student of Department of Microbiology
Jagannath University.
Email- sadiabd810@yahoo.com


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