Reduction of the nucleic acid content of single-cell protein concentrates.

Abstract

AbstractMethods for reducing the content of nucleic acid in protein concentrates from disintegrated yeast and microalgae were investigated. Protein concentrates were prepared by acid precipitation of extracted protein after cell wall separation. The influence of alkaline protein extraction on the content of RNA in isoelectrically precipitated protein concentrates was studied. It was found that when a strong decrease in the RNA content was obtained, this was followed by a decrease in the yield of protein concentrate. Protein concentrates were also prepared without cell wall separation by precipitation with different agents after cell disintegration. In the precipitates from microalgae, a RNA reduction was obtained. Precipitation of yeast, protein gave no essential reduction with the precipitants used. Precipitation of yeast protein by heating at an alkaline pH gave a protein concentrate with a low content of RNA. A slightly lower RNA content was obtained when the precipitation was performed in the presence of NaCl. The yield of amino acid nitrogen was 70–80% and the RNA content was 1–2%. A process with precipitation at alkaline pH for the production of microbial protein concentrates with a low content of nucleic acid is suggested.