Abstract
The freshwater alga spirogyra porticalis, a filamentous chlorophyte, was collected and identified on the basis of morphology and molecular characteristics. The nutritional composition of the Alga (protein, carbohydrate, moisture, fat, ash) were determined using the AOAC, Official Methods of Analysis. The components of Single Cell Protein (SCP) were determined using method of proximate analysis. The total content of protein (% dry weight) ranged from 12.46-16.89%, carbohydrate from 34.72-39.25%, moisture from 12.97-16.75%, fat from 20.17-22.03%, ash from 10.78-15.98%. The result revealed that this Macroalga has an appreciable amount of protein, carbohydrate, moisture, fat, and ash. Amino acids composition determines the protein quality of Algae. Hence, the amino acids present in the algal sample were extracted and estimated using an automated amino acids Analyzer. The results have shown the presence of the following amino acids; Leu, Lys, Ile, Phe, Val, His, Arg, Met, Trp, Thr, Pro, Tyr, Gly, Glu, Asp, Cys, Ser, Ala. The essential amino acids (Leu, Lys, Ile, Phe, Val, His, Arg, Met, Trp, Thr) profile of the alga as compared with conventional protein sources and the WHO/FAO reference pattern of essential amino acids (g per 100 protein), reveals that the levels of the essential amino acids in the alga were either similar to or greater than the levels of the same amino acids in the reference foods and WHO/FAO reference pattern. Thus, results of the present study shows that S.porticalis is a potential source of single cell protein, and may be of use to the food industry as a source of ingredients with high nutritional value. S. porticalis can provide a dietary alternative due to its nutritional value and its commercial value can be enhanced by improving the quality and expanding the range of freshwater macroalgae based products.
Highlights
The term single-cell protein (SCP) is used to describe protein derived from pure or mixed cultures of microorganisms such as yeast, fungi, algae and bacteria which are used as a substitute for the conventional protein sources exploited for human and animal consumption (Najafpour, 2007).Population growth combined with increasingly limited resources of arable land and fresh water has resulted in a need for alternative protein sources
The results have shown the presence of the following amino acids; Leu, Lys, Ile, Phe, Val, His, Arg, Met, Trp, Thr, Pro, Tyr, Gly, Glutamic acid (Glu), Asp, Cys, Ser, Ala
The morphology of algal specimen was studied carefully and the specimen was identified as Spirogyra porticalis (Müller) Dumortier
Summary
The term single-cell protein (SCP) is used to describe protein derived from pure or mixed cultures of microorganisms such as yeast, fungi, algae and bacteria which are used as a substitute for the conventional protein sources exploited for human and animal consumption (Najafpour, 2007).Population growth combined with increasingly limited resources of arable land and fresh water has resulted in a need for alternative protein sources. The term single-cell protein (SCP) is used to describe protein derived from pure or mixed cultures of microorganisms such as yeast, fungi, algae and bacteria which are used as a substitute for the conventional protein sources exploited for human and animal consumption (Najafpour, 2007). Nigeria with a population of approximately 196 million people, in a million Km2,,needs to brace up to such challenges, and exploit all sources of food production, especially protein production. A combination of improved agricultural food production methods and an increase of average per capita income have led to a decrease in global hunger over the last half-century, despite a doubling of the world's population (Godfray et al, 2010).The term SCP was coined by Carol L. Wilson in 1966.Single cell protein is dried cells of microorganism, which are used as protein supplement in human foods or animal feeds (Rasoul-Amini et al, 2009)
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