Single Cell Protein Production Technologies

Single cell protein (SCP) refers to protein-rich microbial biomass derived from bacteria, yeasts, fungi and microalgae cultivated under controlled conditions. Production platforms range from fed-batch fermenters using carbohydrate or waste substrates to gas-fermentation systems that fix carbon dioxide with hydrogen or methane. Innovations in bioreactor design, process monitoring and metabolic engineering have enhanced yield, nutritional profile and process economy. Feedstocks span agricultural residues, industrial off-gases and renewable electricity-driven synthons, offering flexibility and minimal land use. Downstream processing protocols—including cell harvesting, dewatering and drying—are tailored to preserve essential amino acids and reduce nucleic acid content. SCP production delivers a low-carbon footprint, reduced water demand and mitigates competition for arable land relative to conventional agriculture. Global applications extend from animal feed supplements to novel food ingredients, with emerging regulatory frameworks and consumer acceptance studies shaping commercial pathways. Despite progress in scale-up and techno-economic optimisation, challenges remain in standardising safety assessments, lowering production costs and integrating circular-economy principles across supply chains.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have shown that synthetic biology tools can expand the functionality of microbial platforms, enabling tailored nutrient enrichment and enhanced biomass productivity. Cutting-edge work explores the use of modular genetic circuits to reprogramme metabolic flux towards high-value proteins and bioactive compounds. Advances in photobioreactor integration demonstrate continuous cultivation of microalgae with automated light and nutrient control, achieving record productivities under fluctuating environmental conditions. These findings underline the potential of programmable cell factories to deliver scalable, sustainable protein sources with minimal environmental impact.

Single Cell Protein Production Technologies publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in single cell protein production technologies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Single cell protein (SCP): Protein extracted from microbial biomass cultivated as a food or feed ingredient.

Heterotrophic cultivation: Growth of microbes on organic substrates such as sugars or waste streams.

Phototrophic microalgae: Photosynthetic microorganisms that use light energy to fix carbon dioxide.

Methanotrophy: Metabolism of methane by specialised bacteria as a carbon and energy source.

Autotrophic hydrogen-oxidising bacteria (HOB): Microbes that oxidise hydrogen and fix carbon dioxide to synthesise biomass.

Bioreactor: Engineered vessel enabling controlled microbial cultivation under defined conditions.

References

1. The microbial food revolution. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Comprehensive insights into sustainable conversion of agricultural and food waste into microbial protein for animal feed production. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology (2023).
3. Single Cell Protein—State-of-the-Art, Industrial Landscape and Patents 2001–2016. Frontiers in Microbiology (2017).
4. Bacterial protein for food and feed generated via renewable energy and direct air capture of CO2: Can it reduce land and water use?. Global Food Security (2019).
5. Making the case for edible microorganisms as an integral part of a more sustainable and resilient food production system. Food Security (2019).
6. Application of Industrial Wastes for the Production of Microbial Single-Cell Protein by Fodder Yeast Candida utilis. Waste and Biomass Valorization (2016).
7. The role of single cell protein in cellular agriculture. Current Opinion in Biotechnology (2022).
8. A life cycle environmental sustainability analysis of microbial protein production via power-to-food approaches. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (2020).