Production of single cell protein from pineapple waste using yeast

Abstract

The worldwide food protein deficiency is becoming alarming day to day and with the fast growing population of world, pressure is exerted on the feed industry to produce enough animal feed to meet the region’s nutritional requirements. Single-Cell Protein (SCP) represents microbial cells (primary) grown in mass culture and harvested for use as protein sources in foods or animal feeds. In the present study, pineapple waste was used as sole carbon source in five concentrations for preparation of fermentation media on which two strains of yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida tropicalis were grown. The increased concentration of pineapple hydrolysate enhanced the biomass yield and the protein formation within the yeast cells. Lower carbon utilization by the two yeast strains occurred in the waste-containing media, as compared to control, increasing the economic value of the waste obtained after 7-day fermentation. The present finding helps in SCP production from cheap, inexpensive agro waste material.