This document presents information on single cell protein (SCP), which is protein extracted from microorganisms like yeast, fungi, algae and bacteria. It discusses the history of SCP dating back to use during World War 2, common microorganisms used like fungi and yeast, the production process including fermentation and harvesting, advantages like high protein content and rapid growth, and applications as a protein supplement.

1. Presentation on...
MICROBIAL
PRODUCTION OF
SINGLE CELL
PROTEIN
Presented by: Amandeep Kaur &
Sukhpreet Kaur (B.Sc. Biotech IV th sem)
Submitted to: Dr. Pardeep Kaur
BAEKER’S
YEAST

2. WHAT IS SINGE CELL
PROTEIN (SCP):-
 Protein that consist of processed
microorganisms ( such as yeast,
fungi, algae and bacteria ) grown in
culture and are used as source of
food especially for livestock.
 Edible protein which is extracted
from pure microbial culture, dead or
dried cell biomass.
 Also known as “Microbial Protein”.
 Also called ‘Novel Food’ & ‘Minifood’

3. HISTORY OF SCP:-
 The term was coined by Carol L.
Wilson in 1966.
 Earlier known as “Microbial
Protein”.
 During World War II, when there
were shortage in proteins and
vitamins in the diet, the Germans
produced yeast and moulds in some
quantity for food; this led to produce
edible proteins on large scale by
means of microorganism during
1970’s.
 Research on SCP technology was
started a century ago when Max
Delbruck & his collegues found out
the high value of surplus Brewer’s
yeast as a feeding supplement for
animals.

4.  In 1950’s British Petroleum initiated
production of SCP on commercial
basis.
 Considered as a part of our diet from
ancient times.
 Pruteen was the Ist commercial SCP
used as animal feed additives.
 Pruteen was produced from bacteria
Methyophilus methyotrophus
cultured on methanol & had 72%
protein content.
 SCP contains- fats, carbohydrates,
vitamins, nucleic acid & minerals. It
is also rich in essential amino acids
like Lysine & Methionine
LIST OF MICRO-ORGANISMS
UESD FOR PRODUCTION OF
SCP:-

5.  FUNGI :
i. Aspergillus fumigates
ii. Aspergillus niger
iii. Rhizopus cyclopium
 YEAST :
i. Saccharomyces cerevisae
ii. Candida tropicalis
iii. Candida utilis
 ALGAE :
i. Spirulina sps
ii. Chlorella pyrenoidosa
iii. Chondrus crispus
 BACTERIA:
i. Pseudomonas fluroescens
ii. Lactobacillus
iii. Bacillus megaterium

6. FUNGI: YEAS
T:
BACT
ERI;
ALGA
E:
TEMPRATU
RE:
25-30C 25-
26C
35-45C 25C
pH: 5-6 4-4.4 5-7 8-10
PROTEIN
(%age):
30-55% 45-
55%
50-85% 45-
65%
ADVANTA
GES:
Fast
growth,hi
gh protein
content
and
higher
penetrtion
power.
Bioma
ss can
be
easily
harves
ted
due to
large
size,
can
grow
in
highly
aciddi
c ph,
bioma
ss
produc
ed has
high
level
of
lysine.
Rapid
growth
, short
genera
tion
time,
utilisat
ion of
any
kind of
raw
materi
al.
Protei
n rich
bioma
ss is
produc
ed,
simple
& fast
growt
h.

7. DISVANTA
GES:
Risk of
contamin
ation,
produce
mycotoxin
s , some
have
slower
growth
rate.
Lower
growt
h rate
& low
protei
n
conten
t.
Grow
only
in
highly
basic
conditi
on.

9. OTHER SUBSTRATE FOR SCP
PRODUCTION:-
 SCP can be produce by :
 High Energy Sources Like:
i. Methanol
ii. Ethanol
iii. Methane
 Waste Products:
i. Molasses
ii. Whey
iii. Sewage
 Agricultural Sources:
i. Cellulose
ii. Lignin
 Carbon Dioxide:
i. Spirulina species

10. SCP PRODUCTION IN INDIA :-
1) National Botanical Research
Institute (NBRI).
2) Central Food Technological
Research Institute (CFTRI).
 In CFTRI, SCP is produced from
algae cultured on sewage.

11. RAW MATERIALS :-
 Production of SCP requires microbes
that serve as the protein source as
the substrate that is biomass on
which they grow.
 There is variety of both the source
that can be used for the production
of SCP.
 The biomass used can be plant
biomass or organic biomass.
 The microbes used belong to the
group of algae, fungi and bacteria.

12. MICRO-ORGANISMS:-
 Micro-organisms used are fungi,
bacteria, yeast an algae.
 The following table shows average
different composition of main groups
o microbes (% dry wt.):

13. COMPARISION OF MICRO-
ORGANISMS:-
MICROBE
S:
ADVANTAG
ES:
DISADVNTAG
ES:
FUNGI : Easy to grow
and harvest.
Lower growth
rate & lower
protein
content.
ALGAE : Easy to grow
and harvest
and high
quality
protein .
Non-digestible
cellulosic cell
wall
concentrate
heavy metals.
YEAST : Large in size,
lower NA
content,
familiarity &
acceptability
Poor
digestibility,
low protein
content, slow
growth rate.
BACTERI
A :
High protein
content,
digestible cell
wall.
High NA
content, small
in size, low
density.
PRODUCTION OF SCP:-

14. Production of SCP involves following
steps:
1. Selection of strain of microbe and
substrate.
2. Fermentation..
3. Harvesting.
4. Post harvest treatment.
5. Processing of SCP

15. 1) SELECTION OF MICROBIAL
STRAIN & SUBSTRATE :-
 It is a very crucial step as the quality of
proteintotally depend upon the microbe
that is use for production.
 Microbe selected shouldn’t produce toxicity
in its biomass.
 It shouldn’t be harmful for a consumer to
consume.
 Selected microbe should produce a large
quantity of protein.
 Substrate should be cheap, effective, allow
favourable growth& ease of isolation.

16. 2) PREPRATION OF MEDIA FOR
MICROBIAL GROWTH:
 Media formulation is important for
fermentation. The constituents of media
should satisfy the elemental requirements
of biomass & metabolite production.
 Different types of raw material are used in
different types of industrial fermentation
process. Mostly agricultural & industrial
wastes are used as raw material.
 Eg. : Molasses, Cassava, Cheese Whey,
Cellulosic Material (Wood molasses, Rice
straw).

17. 3) FERMENTATION:-
 It is done in large chambers either of glass
or stainless steel called Fermentor.
 Fermentation should done under sterile
conditions.
 Controlled conditions are necessary e.g.
Temperature, Pressure, pH, Humidity etc.
 Usually fed-batch cultures are used for
this process.
 Deep lift fermentors & air lift fermentors
are used.

18. 3) HARVESTING:-
 When the colonies of microbes are fully
developed , they are then Harvested.
 The bulk of cells are removed from the
fermentor by the method called
Decantation.
4) POST- HRVESTING
FERMENTATION:-
 Isolated microbial colonies are subjected to
variety of processes.
 It include steps like- Centrifugation,
Washing, Drying etc.
5) PROCESSING OF SCP:-
 Produced protein contain impurities like-
carbohydrates, nucleic acid, lipid content,
salts etc.

19.  Pure protein isolation can be done by
crushing, crumbling, cycles of freezing &
thawing, grinding & thermal shocks.
 Nucleic acid can be removed by:
a. By treatment with NaCl 10%.
b. By chemicals e.g. NaOH Thermal shocks.
c. Enzymes treatment e.g. Ribonuclease.

20. ADVANTAGES:-
 Microbes have rapid succession of
generation thus number o
generation can be obtained in very
short time (algae- 2-6 hrs, yeast- 1-3
hrs, bacteria- 0.5-2 hrs).
 They can easily be modified
genetically.
 Contain high protein content of 43-
85% in dry mass.
 Can be easily produced and isolated.
 Production in continuous culture.
 Economically beneficial
 Broad spectrum of original raw
material used for production which
include industrial.
 Low land requirements.

21. DISADVANTAGES:-
 Development of kidney stone & gout
if consumed in high quantity.
 Possibility of presence of secendory
toxic metabolites.
 Hypersenstivity skin reactions.
 Poor digestibility.
 High content of nucleic acid leading
to elevated levels of uric acid.
 Production of SCPs is very expensive
method & requires highly sterilized
conditions.

22. APPLICATIONS:-
As protein supplement food-
i. Also source of vitamins, amino acids, minerals,
crude fibers etc.
ii. Supplemented food for undernourished
children.
As health food-
i. Controls obesity.
ii. Provides instant energy.
In medicines-
i. Reduce body weight,cholesterol, stress.
ii. Prevents accumulation of cholesterol in
body.
iii. Increase lactation.
In cosmetics-
i. Important role in maintaining healthy
hair
ii. Used in lipstics & herbal face cream.
iii. Used in many cosmetic products.

24. CONCLUSION:-
 The development o SCP is just a
beginning of biotechnology.
 With the improvement in the
production o SCPs we can solve the
malnutritive conditions of the
progressing countries & can so
introduce better quality food & taste
with decrease chances of occurrence
o side effects. Moreover, genetic
modification in microorganisms can
lead to better future o SCPs in
biotechnology, medicines,
agriculture, poultry etc.
 One of the way to enhance
productivity and quality is genetic
improvements of micro-organisms.