Microbial meat: A sustainable vegan protein source produced from agri-waste to feed the world

In the modern world, animal and plant protein may not meet the sustainability criteria due to their high need for arable land and potable water consumption, among other practices. Considering the growing population and food shortage, finding alternative protein sources for human consumption is an urgent issue that needs to be solved, especially in developing countries.In this context, microbial bioconversion of valuable materials in nutritious microbial cells represent a sus-tainable alternative to the food chain. Microbial protein, also known as single-cell protein (SCP), consist of algae biomass, fungi or bacteria that are currently used as food source for both humans and animals. Besides contributing as a sustainable source of protein to feed the world, producing SCP, is important to reduce waste disposal problems and production costs meeting the sustainable development goals. However, for microbial protein as feed or food to become an important and sustainable alternative, addressing the challenges of raising awareness and achieving wider public regulatory acceptance is real and must be addressed with care and con-venience. In this work, we critically reviewed the potential technologies for microbial protein production, its benefits, safety, and limitations associated with its uses, and perspectives for broader large-scale implementation. We argue that the information documented in this manuscript will assist in developing microbial meat as a major protein source for the vegan world.

Automated summary

In the modern world, the sustainability of animal and plant protein is being called into question due to the need for arable land and potable water. Finding alternative protein sources for human consumption is urgent, especially in developing countries. Microbial bioconversion of valuable materials into nutritious microbial cells offers a sustainable alternative, known as microbial protein (SCP), which can be used for both human and animal food. Producing SCP not only provides a sustainable protein source but also helps reduce waste disposal problems and production costs. However, addressing challenges such as awareness and regulatory acceptance is crucial for SCP to become a viable alternative.