Production of Single Cell Protein from Fruit of Beles (Opuntia Ficus-Indica L.) Peels Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

The bioconversion of different wastes into certain valuable products like single cell protein (SCP) has simultaneous ability to solve the worldwide food protein deficiency by obtaining an economical product for food and feed and alleviating environmental pollutants up to significant extent by using these wastes as substrates for the production of the high nutritious product. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the feasibility of using Beles fruit peels (the remained wastes of cactus pear fruit which is common in northern Ethiopia, Tigray region) for Saccharomyces cerevisiae production and to evaluate protein quality of produced single cell protein (SCP) biomass. In this work, Beles fruit peels were evaluated for the production of single cell protein using Saccharomyces cerevisiae by submerged fermentation. Results showed that Beles fruit peels generate 51.1% and 27% crude carbohydrate and crude protein, respectively per 100gm of substrate used. In addition, Percentage of protein in single cell protein was lower (32.5%) when Saccharomyces cerevisiae was grown on supplemented Beles fruit peels hydrolysate medium that contained inorganic nitrogen sources but devoid of glucose. Addition of glucose to the supplemented Beles fruit peels hydrolysate medium enhanced the protein content (63.5%) within the yeast cell. Thus, the present research work helps in SCP production from inexpensive and cheap agro-waste materials, even if single cell protein production by yeast depends on the growth substrates and/or media composition.