dsm-firmenich develop Single Cell Proteins

September 22, 2023 - dsm-firmenich has developed new, industry-leading, Single-Cell Proteins (SCPs) which have the capacity for the production of net-zero carbon protein to help meet demand and feed the global population within planetary boundaries.

SCP will ensure the sustainability of food systems by partially decoupling animal production from conventional inputs and associated challenges, eg, fertiliser use, deforestation and water while helping to fill the projected protein gap.

The use of SCPs as an animal feed ingredient is a game-changer that can reduce the land and water footprint required for animal farming and contribute to 1.5 degrees of global warming goals.

What is Single Cell Protein (SCP)?

• SCPs are in essence a protein production powerhouse produced by fermentation technology, these proteins have an incredible potential for scalability.
• With very high growth rates these organisms can produce a considerable amount of protein compared to their initial weight and are the frontrunner when it comes to emerging proteins.
• These naturally occurring microorganisms can convert platform molecules into proteins, perfectly suited to replace fishmeal, wheat gluten, guar meal, soy or pea protein concentrates and other plant proteins.

How are SCPs Produced?

• SCP provide a readily available, protein-rich microbial biomass, in the form of yeast, bacteria or fungi.
• This can be achieved by combining biotechnology with new bioscience to train and evolve microorganisms to become super protein producers and maximise the nutritional value of the non-protein part of the cell structures.

What are the Advantages?

SCPs contain all or most essential amino acids required by animals, and can be used for aquaculture, poultry, swine and companion animals for growth and development contain have numerous benefits, including:

• Shorter generation times.
• The ability to use different feedstocks or substrates.
• No requirements for land.
• The possibility to produce continuously throughout the year in any part of the world.
• No drop in animal performance when compared to traditional feeds.

Environmental benefits

• Alongside their incredible nutritional value, they are a low carbon-intensive microbial protein.
• SCPs can help close the impending protein demand gap without increasing the carbon footprint of our food system.
• It has the potential for net zero production carbon emissions and resource usage.

Salmon feeding trial results

Researchers at the DSM Bioscience Centre in Delft have shown excellent performance when compared to feeds containing fish meal and soy protein concentrate.

Rainbow trout were grown for 12 weeks on different inclusions of SCP ranging from 0%, 5%, 10% to 20% on extruded feeds, with single cell protein replacing a combination of fish meal and soy protein concentrate. The data indicates single cell protein inclusion has no negative impact on fish performance measured by final body weight.

Business opportunity

Net Zero single cell proteins are part of a US$4 billion animal feed alternative protein market that is expected to double in size within a decade. They represent an opportunity to provide nutrients that are essential to our food systems while making them considerably more sustainable.

dsm-firmenich

Dedicated to feeding a global population of over 10 billion by 2050, while remaining within planetary boundaries is a priority focus for dam-firmenich.

As such, animal protein production needs to become more efficient, use less land and reduce its environmental footprint. To meet this challenge, dam-firmenich has leveraged years of industry expertise to develop a carbon net zero Single-Cell Protein (SCP).

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.