Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger

Abstract

The global population is increasing rapidly and, according to the United Nations (UN), it is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. The demand for food is also increasing with a growing population. Food shortages, land scarcity, resource depletion, and climate change are significant issues raised due to an increasing population. Meat is a vital source of high-quality protein in the human diet, and addressing the sustainability of meat production is essential to ensuring long-term food security. To cover the meat demand of a growing population, meat scientists are working on several meat alternatives. Bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae have been identified as sources of microbial proteins that are both effective and sustainable, making them suitable for use in the development of meat analogs. Unlike livestock farming, microbial proteins produce less environmental pollution, need less space and water, and contain all the necessary dietary components. This review examines the status and future of microbial proteins in regard to consolidating and stabilizing the global food system. This review explores the production methods, nutritional benefits, environmental impact, regulatory landscape, and consumer perception of microbial protein-based meat analogs. Additionally, this review highlights the importance of microbial proteins by elaborating on the connection between microbial protein-based meat analogs and multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords: UN sustainable development goals; food security; meat alternatives; microbial proteins; sustainable protein sources.

Figure 6

A keyword co-occurrence network, which is generated from the literature published over the past ten years on microbial protein-based meat (derived using the keyword microbial protein in PubMed in the literature published in the last 10 years).

Figure 1

Link between microbial proteins and different SDGs set by the United Nations.

Figure 2

Advantages of SCP production.

Figure 3

Challenges in scaling up microbial protein production and the solutions.

Figure 4

Strategies for scaling up microbial protein production.

Figure 5

Consumer adoption strategies for improving the market scenario for microbial proteins.