Single Cell Protein is the dried cells of microorganisms consumed as a protein supplement by humans or animals.

Production of bioprotein

Currently, there is a growing consumer demand for alternative protein that is not of animal origin but has similar properties. This demand is due to the fact that agriculture cannot fully meet the needs of the ever-growing world population with sufficient protein, and the fact that the expansion of agricultural land through deforestation has a harmful impact on the environment. Today, alternative protein is produced from plants, fungi, yeast, algae and even insects.

There are several ways to produce alternative food protein, among which it is worth highlighting the protein produced by microorganisms that feed on hydrocarbons, this protein is also called single-cell protein (SCP). The protein produced from methane is also called Bioprotein or Gaprin. The advantages of this method of protein production are enormous: it is an environmentally friendly product, its production does not require large areas and does not depend on climatic conditions, microorganisms can be grown all year round, which eliminates problems with storage and spoilage of the product. According to some data, the share of protein in microbial biomass is about 70%, its composition of amino acids is close to milk, it is enriched with vitamins and microelements, easily and completely digested.

The most promising solution is the production of protein products by microorganisms from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Chemical structure for the 20 amino acids that are found in all naturally occurring proteins. Although amino acids can have other formulas, as part of a protein they invariably have the general formula RCH(NH2)COOH, where C is carbon, H is hydrogen, N is nitrogen, O is oxygen, and R is a group that varies in composition and structure, called a side chain.