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?