Production of Single Cell Protein from Fruit Waste

Abstract: The fast growing population of the world has led to an increased demand for protein rich foods. The conversion of fruit waste into single cell protein is an alternative solution to the worldwide protein deficiency and environmental pollution concerns. Dried cells of bacteria, algae, yeast and fungi which are rich in protein and could be used as dietary supplements are called single cell protein. In the present study single cell protein represent microbial cells grown in mass culture and harvested for use as protein source in foods and animal feed. Fruit waste was used as sole carbon source for preparation of fermentation on used for the growth of bacteria, fungi, algae and yeast. The increased incubation time of different fruits hydrolaysate enhanced the biomass yield and the protein formation within the cell. The bioconversion of fruit waste by microbial fermentation into single cell protein has potential use for solving the worldwide protein deficiency in food. The finding in this study indicated that fruit waste could serve as a good substrate for single cell protein production.