In single cell protein, care has to be taken to remove

Options

A. Excess nucleic acids
B. Fats
C. Heavy metals
D. Both (1) & (3)

Answer

To solve the question regarding what needs to be removed in the context of single cell protein, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Single Cell Protein (SCP)**:
- Single cell protein refers to protein derived from microbial cells, such as bacteria, yeast, or algae, which are rich in protein content.
- An example of SCP is *Spirulina*, a type of blue-green algae.

2. **Identifying Potential Contaminants**:
- When producing or consuming single cell protein, it is crucial to ensure that the product is safe for human consumption.
- Various contaminants can be present in microbial cultures, including heavy metals, excess nucleic acids, and fats.

3. **Assessing the Harmful Effects**:
- Heavy metals (like lead, mercury, cadmium) are toxic and can cause serious health issues if ingested.
- Excess nucleic acids are not harmful in moderate amounts and can even be beneficial.
- Fats are a necessary part of the diet and are not harmful unless consumed in excessive amounts.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Given the potential health risks associated with heavy metals, it is essential to remove them from single cell protein products to ensure safety.
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that care has to be taken to remove **heavy metals** from single cell protein.

### Final Answer:
- The correct option is **C: Heavy Metals**.

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