What is a single cell protein? How is it significant for human welfare?

Explanation

Single cell protein (SCP) refers to dried microbial cells or total protein extracted from pure microbial cell culture. SCP is not pure protein: It refers to the whole cells of bacteria, yeast filamentous fungi or algae. It also contains carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, mineral salts and vitamins. The composition depends upon the organism and the substrate on which it grows. SCP is used as food.
Sources - Chlorella (algae), Rhodopseudo monas capsulata (bacteria), Trichoderma (fungi). Cyano bacteria such as spirulina, bacteria such as methyliphilus methylotrophus, yeast such as candida utilis etc., are the common sources of SCP.
Significance : (i) Can be used as protein rich supplement in the human diet.
(ii) Helps to bridge the gap between demand and supply of protein for human diet and reduces the pressure on agriculture.
(iii) Use of organic wastes and industrial effluents in relating SCP will reduce environ mental pollution.
(iv) Absence of pathogenicity and toxicity.
(v) High protein quality and content.
(vi) Easy to digest.
(vii) Cost effective.pure microbial cell culture. SCP is not pure protein: It-refers to the whole cells of bacteria, yeast filamentous fungi or algae. It also contains carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, mineral salts and vitamins. The composition depends upon the organism and the substrate on which it grows. SCP is used as food. Sources - Chlorella (algae), Rhodopseudo monas capsulata (bacteria), Trichoderma (fungi). Cyano bacteria such as spirulina, bacteria such as methyliphilus methylotrophus, yeast such as candida utilis etc., are the common sources of SCP.
Significance :
(i) Can be used as protein rich supplement in the human diet.
(ii) Helps to bridge the gap between demand and supply of protein for human diet and reduces the pressure on agriculture.
(iii) Use of organic wastes and industrial effluents in relating SCP will reduce environ mental pollution.
(iv) Absence of pathogenicity and toxicity.
(v) High protein quality and content.
(vi) Easy to digest.
(vii) Cost effective.