Single-cell protein

Single-cell proteins (SCP) or microbial proteins[1] refer to edible unicellular microorganisms. The biomass or protein extract from pure or mixed cultures of algae, yeasts, fungi or bacteria may be used as an ingredient or a substitute for protein-rich foods, and is suitable for human consumption or as animal feeds. Industrial agriculture is marked by a high water footprint,[2] high land use,[3] biodiversity destruction,[3] general environmental degradation[3] and contributes to climate change by emission of a third of all greenhouse gases;[4] production of SCP does not necessarily exhibit any of these serious drawbacks. As of today, SCP is commonly grown on agricultural waste products, and as such inherits the ecological footprint and water footprint of industrial agriculture. However, SCP may also be produced entirely independent of agricultural waste products through autotrophic growth.[5] Thanks to the high diversity of microbial metabolism, autotrophic SCP provides several different modes of growth, versatile options of nutrients recycling, and a substantially increased efficiency compared to crops.[5] A 2021 publication showed that photovoltaic-driven microbial protein production could use 10 times less land for an equivalent amount of protein compared to soybean cultivation.[1]

With the world population reaching 9 billion by 2050, there is strong evidence that agriculture will not be able to meet demand[6] and that there is serious risk of food shortage.[7][8] Autotrophic SCP represents options of fail-safe mass food-production which can produce food reliably even under harsh climate conditions.[5]

  1. ^ a b Leger D, Matassa S, Noor E, Shepon A, Milo R, Bar-Even A (June 2021). "Photovoltaic-driven microbial protein production can use land and sunlight more efficiently than conventional crops". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118 (26): e2015025118. Bibcode:2021PNAS..11815025L. doi:10.1073/pnas.2015025118. PMC 8255800. PMID 34155098.
  2. ^ Mekonnen MM, Hoekstra AY (2014-11-01). "Water footprint benchmarks for crop produ160X14002660". Ecological Indicators. 46: 214–223. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.06.013.
  3. ^ a b c Tilman D (May 1999). "Global environmental impacts of agricultural expansion: the need for sustainable and efficient practices". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 96 (11): 5995–6000. Bibcode:1999PNAS...96.5995T. doi:10.1073/pnas.96.11.5995. PMC 34218. PMID 10339530.
  4. ^ Vermeulen SJ, Campbell BM, Ingram JS (2012-01-01). "Climate Change and Food Systems". Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 37 (1): 195–222. doi:10.1146/annurev-environ-020411-130608.
  5. ^ a b c Bogdahn I (2015-09-17). "Agriculture-independent, sustainable, fail-safe and efficient food production by autotrophic single-cell protein". PeerJ PrePrints. doi:10.7287/peerj.preprints.1279.
  6. ^ Challinor AJ, Watson J, Lobell DB, Howden SM, Smith DR, Chhetri N (2014-01-01). "A meta-analysis of crop yield under climate change and adaptation" (PDF). Nature Climate Change. 4 (4): 287–291. Bibcode:2014NatCC...4..287C. doi:10.1038/nclimate2153.
  7. ^ Godfray HC, Beddington JR, Crute IR, Haddad L, Lawrence D, Muir JF, et al. (February 2010). "Food security: the challenge of feeding 9 billion people". Science. 327 (5967): 812–818. Bibcode:2010Sci...327..812G. doi:10.1126/science.1185383. PMID 20110467.
  8. ^ Wheeler T, von Braun J (August 2013). "Climate change impacts on global food security". Science. 341 (6145): 508–513. Bibcode:2013Sci...341..508W. doi:10.1126/science.1239402. PMID 23908229. S2CID 8429917.