ARTICLE 42 F&A Alternative Proteins Edition October 2023 “To bridge the feed protein gap, the aquaculture industry needs to diversify its raw material basket with novel ingredients that have lower environmental footprints and optimum nutritional values. One of these novel ingredients is single cell protein (SCP), which is produced by fermenting microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, or algae using renewable feedstocks.” SINGLE CELL PROTEIN: MEETING THE PROTEIN GAP AND ENABLING SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE Dr. Louise Buttle Sustell™ Lead for Aqua & Global Key Account Manager dsm-firmenich Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in the world, providing nutritious and affordable animal protein to millions of people. However, in order to grow sustainably, within planetary boundaries, an important driver is the supply of sustainable raw materials. Traditionally fish meal from forage fisheries or trimmings have been used in aquaculture and supply a high-quality protein source although in recent years the level of inclusion has dropped. Accordingly, the supply of fish meal is finite and subject to fluctuations in availability due to variations in the environment. One current example is the impact on the Peruvian fishery due to El Nino weather phenomenon. Soy protein concentrate is an example of a widely used plantbased protein source, and even though has excellent nutritional properties its production has questions over land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. To bridge the feed protein gap, the aquaculture industry needs to diversify its raw material basket with novel ingredients that have lower environmental footprints and optimum nutritional values. One of these novel ingredients is single cell protein (SCP), which is produced by fermenting microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, or algae using renewable feedstocks. Single cell protein has several advantages over conventional protein sources. First, it has a consistently high protein content (up to 70%) and a balanced amino acid profile that meets the nutritional requirements of various aquaculture species. Second, single cell protein has a low environmental impact, as it does not require arable land, freshwater, or marine resources, and it can utilize waste streams as substrates. Third, it has a high scalability potential, as it can be produced in large volumes using bioreactors that can be located in geographical regions of the world close to aquaculture farming centres. While single cell protein is not a new concept, having been used for human and animal nutrition since the 1960s, recent advances in biotechnology have enabled the development of more efficient and cost-effective production processes that can compete with traditional protein sources.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==