4.3 SINGLE CELL-PROTEIN (SCP):

Population of human beings and animals is growing at a very rapid rate, so the conventional agricultural production of cereals, pulses, vegetables,

fruits etc. may not be enough to meet with the food requirements of such a huge population in future.

Similarly, the shift of vegeterians to meat-diet has also increased the demand for cereals because to produce 1 kg. of meat by animal farming about 3 to 10 kg. of grains are required.

Moreover a substantial part of human population is also suffering from malnutrition or protein defficiency.

 One of the best alternative source of proteins for human and animal nutrition is single cell protein (SCP).

 "Single Cell Protein (SCP) refers to any microbial biomass produced by uni and multicellular micro-organisms and can be used as food or feed additives."

 Microbes like

- Chlorella (green algae),

- Spirulina (BGA),

- Methylophilus methylotrophus (bacteria) etc.

These are grown on large scale as source of good protein.

 Spirulina can easily be grown on waste water from potato processing unit, straw, molasses, animal manure etc. to produce a large amount of biomass.

This can be used as a good source of food rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats and carbohydrates.

In this process no kind of environmental pollution is caused.

SCP production can be done throughout the year very effectively in a small area of land.

Some SCPs are acting as a rich source of Vitamin-B complex.

It is also interesting to note that

A 250 kg. cow produces 200g of protein per day but in the same period 250g of a microbe like Methylophilus methylotrophus can produce 25 tonnes of protein because of its rapid growth, reproduction and high rate of biomass production.

 SCP can be used as a food for human beings or as a feed for animals like chickens and calves. Thus it can be an ideal supplement to conventional food.