Microalgae based production of single-cell protein

• Published in: Current opinion in biotechnology 2022-06, Vol.75, p.102705-102705, Article 102705
• Main Authors: Janssen, Marcel, Wijffels, Rene H, Barbosa, Maria J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofuels; Biomass; Carbon Dioxide - metabolism; Microalgae - metabolism
• ISSN: 0958-1669; 1879-0429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102705

[Display omitted] •Microalgal protein content is high and surpasses 50% for production strains.•Microalgal amino acid composition matches well with food and feed requirements.•Current microalgae SCP production potential is 22–44 tons protein per hectare per year.•Production cost will decrease upon scale-up, process optimization, and strain improvement.•Direct air capture of CO2, or mixotrophic cultivation on sugars, is required in post-fossil era. Microalgae express high protein levels and can be produced in contained cultivation systems with low water requirements and complete fertilizer use. The production potential is 22–44 tons of protein per hectare per year although the current production scale is small. Techno economic analyses have shown good potential for scale-up and cost reduction. Large-scale production of microalgae in the post-fossil era will rely on the capture of carbon dioxide from the air, or sugars from crops. Microalgal amino acid composition matches well with requirements for food and feed, which, in combination with novel biomass pre-treatment steps, will guarantee high-quality microalgal protein. For a broadening of the microalgae species available as single-cell protein, novel food approval is required.