Sudharsan T ,from JSS college of pharmacy, Ooty - Nilgris (DT), Tamil Nadu

1. SINGLE CELL PROTEIN
SUDHARSAN T
1ST M.PHARM
[PHARMACOGNOSY]

2. CONTENT
 INTRODUCTION
 SCP BRIEF
 ADVANTAGES
 ADVANTAGES OF USING MICROORGANISMS FOR SCP PRODUCTION
 SAFETY, ACCEPTABILITY AND TOXICOLOGY
2

3. INTRODUCTION
 Single cell protein (SCP) is the microbial cell or
total protein extracted from monoculture (pure
microbial cell culture) which can used as protein
supplement for humans or animals.
 Since most of the microorganisms grow as
single or filamentous individuals. This is in
contrast to complete multicellular plants and
animals.
3

4. SCP BRIEF
 SCP is regarded as feed grade when it is used as
animal feed supplement, but not suitable for human
consumption (not food grade)
 It is refers to the microbial biomass or protein
extracts used as food or feed additive.
 It has high protein content (about 60-80% of dry
cell weight), SCP also contain fats, carbohydrates,
nucleic acid, vitamins and minerals.
4

5. ADVANTAGES
 It is rich in essential amino acids (lysine, methionine
which are limiting in most plant and animal foods.
 SCP also contain high nutritional value for human or
animal consumption.
 About 25% of the world’s malnutrition. Most of the
people live in developing countries. In that SCP plays
major role in feed or food supplement.
 In addition to utility as a nutritional supplement, SCP can
also be used for the isolation of several compounds.
 Eg: carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals.
5

6. ADVANTAGES OF USING
MICROORGANISMS FOR SCP PRODUCTION
 When 250kg of cow can produce 200g of protein per day.
As from other side 250g of microorganisms, theoretically
when grown under ideal conditions, could produce about
20-25 tonnes of protein.
 Some microbes double their mass in less than 30 mins.
 Quality and quantity of protein content is higher.
 Culture conditions and fermentation are very simple.
 Easily handled and subjected to genetic manipulations.
6

7. 7

8. SAFETY, ACCEPTABILITY AND
TOXICOLOGY
 When SCP is considered for human consumption, there are
several limitations.
 Nucleic acid content of microbial biomass is very high (4-6%
algae; 10-15% bacteria; 5-10% yeast). This is highly
hazardous, since humans have a limited capacity to degrade
nucleic acid.
 Carcinogenic and toxic substances are often observed with
SCP including HCs, heavy metals, etc based on the nature of
raw materials used.
 Contamination by pathogenic microbes is possible.
8

9.  Food grade production of SCP is more expensive than other sources of proteins. e.g. soy meal,
which mainly depend on the cost of raw materials.
 Digestion of microbial cells can be slow due to indigestion as well as allergic reaction in
individuals.
9

10. 10