A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste

Abbas Abedfar; Fatemeh Abbaszadeh; Fatemeh Mardiha

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12

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A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste

Abbas Abedfar^*

, Fatemeh Abbaszadeh, Fatemeh Mardiha

Published in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)

Received: 4 March 2025 Accepted: 14 April 2025 Published: 22 May 2025

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Abstract

The production of Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from agricultural by-products and waste has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for addressing global protein demand in human and animal nutrition. Agricultural residues such as stalks, fruit peels, and seed remnants serve as low-cost substrates for microbial fermentation, facilitating SCP synthesis. Various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, are utilized for their ability to produce high-quality protein with balanced amino acid profiles, potentially replacing traditional plant- and animal-derived proteins. This review explores SCP production processes, microbial sources, and optimal processing techniques, emphasizing their role in sustainable protein supply and environmental impact mitigation. The selection of appropriate microorganisms and fermentation methods significantly influences SCP yield and nutritional composition. SCP production from renewable biomass not only addresses food security challenges but also reduces agricultural waste and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives. Furthermore, SCP application extends beyond nutrition to industrial sectors such as food processing, bio-based materials, and wastewater treatment. Despite its advantages, SCP production faces challenges such as high nucleic acid content, potential microbial toxins, and process scalability. Continued advancements in bioprocess optimization, metabolic engineering, and strain selection are crucial for enhancing SCP efficiency and market viability. This review highlights SCP’s potential as a transformative protein source, offering an environmentally responsible and economically viable alternative to conventional protein production systems.

Published in	Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12
Page(s)	8-15
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Agricultural Waste, Environmental Sustainability, Microorganisms, Protein Sources, Single-cell Protein

References

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[2]	D. I. Koukoumaki, E. Tsouko, S. Papanikolaou, Z. Ioannou, P. Diamantopoulou, and D. Sarris, “Recent advances in the production of single cell protein from renewable resources and applications,” Carbon Resour. Convers., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 100195, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crcon.2023.07.004
[3]	A. Suhonen, A. Ritala, and A. Nyysso, “ScienceDirect The role of single cell protein in cellular agriculture,” pp. 1–7, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102686
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[6]	Z. Zhuang, G. Wan, X. Lu, L. Xie, T. Yu, and H. Tang, “Metabolic engineering for single-cell protein production from renewable feedstocks and its applications,” Adv. Biotechnol., vol. 2, no. 4, p. 35, Sep. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s44307-024-00042-8
[7]	A. A. Amara and N. A. El-Baky, “Fungi as a Source of Edible Proteins and Animal Feed,” J. Fungi, vol. 9, no. 1, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010073
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[9]	W. Shi, M. G. Healy, S. M. Ashekuzzaman, K. Daly, J. J. Leahy, and O. Fenton, “Dairy processing sludge and co-products: A review of present and future re-use pathways in agriculture,” J. Clean. Prod., vol. 314, no. June, p. 128035, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128035
[10]	S. Karimi, N. M. Soofiani, T. Lundh, A. Mahboubi, A. Kiessling, and M. J. Taherzadeh, “Evaluation of filamentous fungal biomass cultivated on vinasse as an alternative nutrient source of fish feed: Protein, lipid, and mineral composition,” Fermentation, vol. 5, no. 4, 2019, https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation5040099
[11]	P. T. Sekoai, Y. Roets-Dlamini, F. O’Brien, S. Ramchuran, and V. Chunilall, “Valorization of Food Waste into Single-Cell Protein: An Innovative Technological Strategy for Sustainable Protein Production,” Microorganisms, vol. 12, no. 1, 2024, https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010166
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APA Style

Abedfar, A., Abbaszadeh, F., Mardiha, F. (2025). A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 10(1), 8-15. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12

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ACS Style

Abedfar, A.; Abbaszadeh, F.; Mardiha, F. A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste. Chem. Biomol. Eng. 2025, 10(1), 8-15. doi: 10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12

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AMA Style

Abedfar A, Abbaszadeh F, Mardiha F. A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste. Chem Biomol Eng. 2025;10(1):8-15. doi: 10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12

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@article{10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12,
  author = {Abbas Abedfar and Fatemeh Abbaszadeh and Fatemeh Mardiha},
  title = {A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste
},
  journal = {Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {8-15},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cbe.20251001.12},
  abstract = {The production of Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from agricultural by-products and waste has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for addressing global protein demand in human and animal nutrition. Agricultural residues such as stalks, fruit peels, and seed remnants serve as low-cost substrates for microbial fermentation, facilitating SCP synthesis. Various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, are utilized for their ability to produce high-quality protein with balanced amino acid profiles, potentially replacing traditional plant- and animal-derived proteins. This review explores SCP production processes, microbial sources, and optimal processing techniques, emphasizing their role in sustainable protein supply and environmental impact mitigation. The selection of appropriate microorganisms and fermentation methods significantly influences SCP yield and nutritional composition. SCP production from renewable biomass not only addresses food security challenges but also reduces agricultural waste and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives. Furthermore, SCP application extends beyond nutrition to industrial sectors such as food processing, bio-based materials, and wastewater treatment. Despite its advantages, SCP production faces challenges such as high nucleic acid content, potential microbial toxins, and process scalability. Continued advancements in bioprocess optimization, metabolic engineering, and strain selection are crucial for enhancing SCP efficiency and market viability. This review highlights SCP’s potential as a transformative protein source, offering an environmentally responsible and economically viable alternative to conventional protein production systems.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste

AU  - Abbas Abedfar
AU  - Fatemeh Abbaszadeh
AU  - Fatemeh Mardiha
Y1  - 2025/05/22
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12
T2  - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
JF  - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
JO  - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
SP  - 8
EP  - 15
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-8884
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12
AB  - The production of Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from agricultural by-products and waste has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for addressing global protein demand in human and animal nutrition. Agricultural residues such as stalks, fruit peels, and seed remnants serve as low-cost substrates for microbial fermentation, facilitating SCP synthesis. Various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, are utilized for their ability to produce high-quality protein with balanced amino acid profiles, potentially replacing traditional plant- and animal-derived proteins. This review explores SCP production processes, microbial sources, and optimal processing techniques, emphasizing their role in sustainable protein supply and environmental impact mitigation. The selection of appropriate microorganisms and fermentation methods significantly influences SCP yield and nutritional composition. SCP production from renewable biomass not only addresses food security challenges but also reduces agricultural waste and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives. Furthermore, SCP application extends beyond nutrition to industrial sectors such as food processing, bio-based materials, and wastewater treatment. Despite its advantages, SCP production faces challenges such as high nucleic acid content, potential microbial toxins, and process scalability. Continued advancements in bioprocess optimization, metabolic engineering, and strain selection are crucial for enhancing SCP efficiency and market viability. This review highlights SCP’s potential as a transformative protein source, offering an environmentally responsible and economically viable alternative to conventional protein production systems.

VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Abbas Abedfar

Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-3883-1713
Fatemeh Abbaszadeh

Department of Food Science and Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

Contact Email
Fatemeh Mardiha

Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Contact Email

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Abedfar, A., Abbaszadeh, F., Mardiha, F. (2025). A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 10(1), 8-15. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12

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ACS Style

Abedfar, A.; Abbaszadeh, F.; Mardiha, F. A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste. Chem. Biomol. Eng. 2025, 10(1), 8-15. doi: 10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12

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AMA Style

Abedfar A, Abbaszadeh F, Mardiha F. A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste. Chem Biomol Eng. 2025;10(1):8-15. doi: 10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12,
  author = {Abbas Abedfar and Fatemeh Abbaszadeh and Fatemeh Mardiha},
  title = {A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste
},
  journal = {Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {8-15},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cbe.20251001.12},
  abstract = {The production of Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from agricultural by-products and waste has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for addressing global protein demand in human and animal nutrition. Agricultural residues such as stalks, fruit peels, and seed remnants serve as low-cost substrates for microbial fermentation, facilitating SCP synthesis. Various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, are utilized for their ability to produce high-quality protein with balanced amino acid profiles, potentially replacing traditional plant- and animal-derived proteins. This review explores SCP production processes, microbial sources, and optimal processing techniques, emphasizing their role in sustainable protein supply and environmental impact mitigation. The selection of appropriate microorganisms and fermentation methods significantly influences SCP yield and nutritional composition. SCP production from renewable biomass not only addresses food security challenges but also reduces agricultural waste and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives. Furthermore, SCP application extends beyond nutrition to industrial sectors such as food processing, bio-based materials, and wastewater treatment. Despite its advantages, SCP production faces challenges such as high nucleic acid content, potential microbial toxins, and process scalability. Continued advancements in bioprocess optimization, metabolic engineering, and strain selection are crucial for enhancing SCP efficiency and market viability. This review highlights SCP’s potential as a transformative protein source, offering an environmentally responsible and economically viable alternative to conventional protein production systems.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Review on the Importance of Producing Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from Agricultural By-products and Waste

AU  - Abbas Abedfar
AU  - Fatemeh Abbaszadeh
AU  - Fatemeh Mardiha
Y1  - 2025/05/22
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12
T2  - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
JF  - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
JO  - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
SP  - 8
EP  - 15
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-8884
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cbe.20251001.12
AB  - The production of Single-Cell Protein (SCP) from agricultural by-products and waste has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for addressing global protein demand in human and animal nutrition. Agricultural residues such as stalks, fruit peels, and seed remnants serve as low-cost substrates for microbial fermentation, facilitating SCP synthesis. Various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, are utilized for their ability to produce high-quality protein with balanced amino acid profiles, potentially replacing traditional plant- and animal-derived proteins. This review explores SCP production processes, microbial sources, and optimal processing techniques, emphasizing their role in sustainable protein supply and environmental impact mitigation. The selection of appropriate microorganisms and fermentation methods significantly influences SCP yield and nutritional composition. SCP production from renewable biomass not only addresses food security challenges but also reduces agricultural waste and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives. Furthermore, SCP application extends beyond nutrition to industrial sectors such as food processing, bio-based materials, and wastewater treatment. Despite its advantages, SCP production faces challenges such as high nucleic acid content, potential microbial toxins, and process scalability. Continued advancements in bioprocess optimization, metabolic engineering, and strain selection are crucial for enhancing SCP efficiency and market viability. This review highlights SCP’s potential as a transformative protein source, offering an environmentally responsible and economically viable alternative to conventional protein production systems.

VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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