Production of microbial protein: a study of the development and introduction of a new technology

Abstract

Previous work had indicated a lack of studies assessing ecological and social effects of specific technologies. Production of microbial protein was selected for its definability and because UK products were about to be introduced (1976). The study was conducted by investigation of UK Patent Office records, by literature search and by interviews with researchers, producers, feed-for-mulators and farmers. It was found that research had been stimulated by FAO calls for production of unconventional protein for human food, but that the animal feed market proved the most attractive target, partly because of safety regulatins. Microbial protein can be grown on many organic materials, so there are considerable passibilities for utilising waste products, especially from agricultural activities and from food and drink industries. Nevetheless, the major developments have in fact used petrochemical feedstocks, methane, methanol and ‘n’ alkanes because of their availability in large volume at consistent quality. ICI's ‘Pruteen’ Methylopphilus methylotrophus, grown on methanol is the only product available in large ammounts in the UK, but recent increases in oil prices may alter the economics of this process and may also favour utilisation of waste streams, espicially if water authorities continue to tighten-up discharge reqiurements. The employment implications were not explored, sine they seem likely to be negligible, unless soya were superceded, which is even more unlikely. Utilisation of organic, which is even more unlikely. Utilisation of organic waste streams would have pronounced beneficial effects on ambient water quality.] Developing countries with long peroid of sunlight and sufficient water to produce luxuriant vegetation could utilise crop wastes as a basis for protein production, either as a main objective, or as a co-product with chemical fertilisers intermediates of liquid fuel.