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Grossmann L. Sustainable media feedstocks for cellular agriculture. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 73:108367. [PMID: 38679340 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The global food system is shifting towards cellular agriculture, a second domestication marked by cultivating microorganisms and tissues for sustainable food production. This involves tissue engineering, precision fermentation, and microbial biomass fermentation to establish food value chains independent of traditional agriculture. However, these techniques rely on growth media sourced from agricultural, chemical (fossil fuels), and mining supply chains, raising concerns about land use competition, emissions, and resource depletion. Fermentable sugars, nitrogen, and phosphates are key ingredients derived from starch crops, energy-intensive fossil fuel based processes, and finite phosphorus resources, respectively. This review explores sustainable alternatives to reduce land use and emissions associated with cellular agriculture media ingredients. Sustainable alternatives to first generation sugars (lignocellulosic substrates, sidestreams, and gaseous feedstocks), sustainable nitrogen sources (sidestreams, green ammonia, biological nitrogen fixation), and efficient use of phosphates are reviewed. Especially cellulosic sugars, gaseous chemoautotrophic feedstocks, green ammonia, and phosphate recycling are the most promising technologies but economic constraints hinder large-scale adoption, necessitating more efficient processes and cost reduction. Collaborative efforts are vital for a biotechnological future grounded in sustainable feedstocks, mitigating competition with agricultural land and emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Grossmann
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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He J, Tang M, Zhong F, Deng J, Li W, Zhang L, Lin Q, Xia X, Li J, Guo T. Current trends and possibilities of typical microbial protein production approaches: a review. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38566484 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2024.2332927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Global population growth and demographic restructuring are driving the food and agriculture sectors to provide greater quantities and varieties of food, of which protein resources are particularly important. Traditional animal-source proteins are becoming increasingly difficult to meet the demand of the current consumer market, and the search for alternative protein sources is urgent. Microbial proteins are biomass obtained from nonpathogenic single-celled organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and microalgae. They contain large amounts of proteins and essential amino acids as well as a variety of other nutritive substances, which are considered to be promising sustainable alternatives to traditional proteins. In this review, typical approaches to microbial protein synthesis processes were highlighted and the characteristics and applications of different types of microbial proteins were described. Bacteria, fungi, and microalgae can be individually or co-cultured to obtain protein-rich biomass using starch-based raw materials, organic wastes, and one-carbon compounds as fermentation substrates. Microbial proteins have been gradually used in practical applications as foods, nutritional supplements, flavor modifiers, and animal feeds. However, further development and application of microbial proteins require more advanced biotechnological support, screening of good strains, and safety considerations. This review contributes to accelerating the practical application of microbial proteins as a promising alternative protein resource and provides a sustainable solution to the food crisis facing the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- JinTao He
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Min Tang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - FeiFei Zhong
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
- Changsha Institute for Food and Drug Control, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Deng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Wen Li
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seasonings Green Manufacturing, Changsha, China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - QinLu Lin
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seasonings Green Manufacturing, Changsha, China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Xia
- Huaihua Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huaihua, China
| | - Juan Li
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Edible Forestry Resources Safety and Processing Utilization, National Engineering Research Center of Rice and Byproduct Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
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Moersdorf J, Rivers M, Denkenberger D, Breuer L, Jehn FU. The Fragile State of Industrial Agriculture: Estimating Crop Yield Reductions in a Global Catastrophic Infrastructure Loss Scenario. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2024; 8:2300206. [PMID: 38223898 PMCID: PMC10784200 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202300206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Modern civilization relies on a complex, globally interconnected industrial agriculture system to produce food. Its unprecedented yields hinge on external inputs like machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, rendering it vulnerable to disruptions in production and international trade. Such a disruption could be caused by large-scale damage to the electrical grid. Solar storms, nuclear detonations in the upper atmosphere, pandemics, or cyber-attacks, could cause this severe damage to electrical infrastructure. To assess the impact of such a global catastrophic infrastructure loss on major food crops (corn, rice, soybean, wheat), we employ a generalized linear model. The predictions show a crop-specific yield reduction between 15% and 37% in phase 1, the year after the catastrophe, assuming rationed use of fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel stocks. In phase 2, when all stocks are depleted, yields decrease by 35%-48%. Soybean is less affected in phase 1, while all crops experience strong declines in phase 2. Europe, North and South America, and parts of India, China, and Indonesia face major yield reductions, potentially up to 75%, while most African countries are less affected. These findings underscore the necessity for preparation by highlighting the vulnerability of the food system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Moersdorf
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR)Research Centre for BioSystemsLand Use and Nutrition (iFZ)Justus Liebig University GiessenHeinrich‐Buff‐Ring 2635390GiessenGermany
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED)LafayetteCO80026USA
| | - Morgan Rivers
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED)LafayetteCO80026USA
| | - David Denkenberger
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED)LafayetteCO80026USA
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchCanterbury8041New Zealand
| | - Lutz Breuer
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR)Research Centre for BioSystemsLand Use and Nutrition (iFZ)Justus Liebig University GiessenHeinrich‐Buff‐Ring 2635390GiessenGermany
- Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU)Justus Liebig University GiessenSenckenbergstraße 335392GiessenGermany
| | - Florian Ulrich Jehn
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR)Research Centre for BioSystemsLand Use and Nutrition (iFZ)Justus Liebig University GiessenHeinrich‐Buff‐Ring 2635390GiessenGermany
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED)LafayetteCO80026USA
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Woern C, Grossmann L. Microbial gas fermentation technology for sustainable food protein production. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108240. [PMID: 37647973 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of novel, sustainable, and robust food production technologies represents one of the major pillars to address the most significant challenges humanity is going to face on earth in the upcoming decades - climate change, population growth, and resource depletion. The implementation of microfoods, i.e., foods formulated with ingredients from microbial cultivation, into the food supply chain has a huge potential to contribute towards energy-efficient and nutritious food manufacturing and represents a means to sustainably feed a growing world population. This review recapitulates and assesses the current state in the establishment and usage of gas fermenting bacteria as an innovative feedstock for protein production. In particular, we focus on the most promising representatives of this taxon: the hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (hydrogenotrophs) and the methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs). These unicellular microorganisms can aerobically metabolize gaseous hydrogen and methane, respectively, to provide the required energy for building up cell material. A protein yield over 70% in the dry matter cell mass can be reached with no need for arable land and organic substrates making it a promising alternative to plant- and animal-based protein sources. We illuminate the holistic approach to incorporate protein extracts obtained from the cultivation of gas fermenting bacteria into microfoods. Herein, the fundamental properties of the bacteria, cultivation methods, downstream processing, and potential food applications are discussed. Moreover, this review covers existing and future challenges as well as sustainability aspects associated with the production of microbial protein through gas fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Woern
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Lutz Grossmann
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Tikhonova EN, Suleimanov RZ, Oshkin IY, Konopkin AA, Fedoruk DV, Pimenov NV, Dedysh SN. Growing in Saltwater: Biotechnological Potential of Novel Methylotuvimicrobium- and Methylomarinum-like Methanotrophic Bacteria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2257. [PMID: 37764101 PMCID: PMC10538026 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanotrophic bacteria that possess a unique ability of using methane as a sole source of carbon and energy have attracted considerable attention as potential producers of a single-cell protein. So far, this biotechnology implied using freshwater methanotrophs, although many regions of the world have limited freshwater resources. This study aimed at searching for novel methanotrophs capable of fast growth in saltwater comparable in composition with seawater. A methane-oxidizing microbial consortium containing Methylomarinum- and Methylotuvimicrobium-like methanotrophs was enriched from sediment from the river Chernavka (water pH 7.5, total salt content 30 g L-1), a tributary river of the hypersaline Lake Elton, southern Russia. This microbial consortium, designated Ch1, demonstrated stable growth on natural gas in a bioreactor in media with a total salt content of 23 to 35.9 g L-1 at a dilution rate of 0.19-0.21 h-1. The highest biomass yield of 5.8 g cell dry weight (CDW)/L with a protein content of 63% was obtained during continuous cultivation of the consortium Ch1 in a medium with a total salt content of 29 g L-1. Isolation attempts resulted in obtaining a pure culture of methanotrophic bacteria, strain Ch1-1. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain Ch1-1 displayed 97.09-97.24% similarity to the corresponding gene fragments of characterized representatives of Methylomarinum vadi, methanotrophs isolated from marine habitats. The genome of strain Ch1-1 was 4.8 Mb in size and encoded 3 rRNA operons, and about 4400 proteins. The genome contained the gene cluster coding for ectoine biosynthesis, which explains the ability of strain Ch1-1 to tolerate high salt concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Svetlana N. Dedysh
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia; (E.N.T.); (R.Z.S.); (I.Y.O.); (A.A.K.); (D.V.F.); (N.V.P.)
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Shirvani R, Bartik A, Alves GAS, Garcia de Otazo Hernandez D, Müller S, Föttinger K, Steiger MG. Nitrogen recovery from low-value biogenic feedstocks via steam gasification to methylotrophic yeast biomass. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1179269. [PMID: 37362211 PMCID: PMC10289294 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1179269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon and nitrogen are crucial elements for life and must be efficiently regenerated in a circular economy. Biomass streams at the end of their useful life, such as sewage sludge, are difficult to recycle even though they contain organic carbon and nitrogen components. Gasification is an emerging technology to utilize such challenging waste streams and produce syngas that can be further processed into, e.g., Fischer-Tropsch fuels, methane, or methanol. Here, the objective is to investigate if nitrogen can be recovered from product gas cleaning in a dual fluidized bed (DFB) after gasification of softwood pellets to form yeast biomass. Yeast biomass is a protein-rich product, which can be used for food and feed applications. An aqueous solution containing ammonium at a concentration of 66 mM was obtained and by adding other nutrients it enables the growth of the methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii to form 6.2 g.L-1 dry yeast biomass in 3 days. To further integrate the process, it is discussed how methanol can be obtained from syngas by chemical catalysis, which is used as a carbon source for the yeast culture. Furthermore, different gas compositions derived from the gasification of biogenic feedstocks including sewage sludge, bark, and chicken manure are evaluated for their ability to yield methanol and yeast biomass. The different feedstocks are compared based on their potential to yield methanol and ammonia, which are required for the generation of yeast biomass. It was found that the gasification of bark and chicken manure yields a balanced carbon and nitrogen source for the formation of yeast biomass. Overall, a novel integrated process concept based on renewable, biogenic feedstocks is proposed connecting gasification with methanol synthesis to enable the formation of protein-rich yeast biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghayeh Shirvani
- Research Group Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Doctoral College CO2Refinery, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Bartik
- Doctoral College CO2Refinery, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Research group Industrial Plant Engineering and Application of Digital Methods, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gustavo A. S. Alves
- Doctoral College CO2Refinery, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Research Group Technical Catalysis, Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Stefan Müller
- Doctoral College CO2Refinery, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Research group Industrial Plant Engineering and Application of Digital Methods, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Föttinger
- Doctoral College CO2Refinery, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Research Group Technical Catalysis, Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias G. Steiger
- Research Group Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Doctoral College CO2Refinery, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
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Palangi V, Lackner M. Management of Enteric Methane Emissions in Ruminants Using Feed Additives: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243452. [PMID: 36552373 PMCID: PMC9774182 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In ruminants' metabolism, a surplus of hydrogen is removed from the reduction reaction of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) by the formation of methane by methanogenic bacteria and archaea methanogens. The balance of calculations between VFA (volatile fatty acids), CO2, and CH4 indicates that acetate and butyrate play a role in methane production, while the formation of propionate maintains hydrogen and therefore reduces methane production. CH4 formation in ruminant livestock is not desired because it reduces feed efficiency and contributes to global warming. Therefore, numerous strategies have been investigated to mitigate methane production in ruminants. This review focuses on feed additives which have the capability of reducing methane emissions in ruminants. Due to the environmental importance of methane emissions, such studies are needed to make milk and meat production more sustainable. Additionally, the additives which have no adverse effects on rumen microbial population and where the reduction effects are a result of their hydrogen sink property, are the best reduction methods. Methane inhibitors have shown such a property in most cases. More work is needed to bring methane-reducing agents in ruminant diets to full market maturity, so that farmers can reap feed cost savings and simultaneously achieve environmental benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valiollah Palangi
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Faculty, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
- Correspondence: (V.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Maximilian Lackner
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Hoechstaedtplatz 6, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Circe Biotechnologie GmbH, Kerpengasse 125, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: (V.P.); (M.L.)
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Alvarado KA, García Martínez JB, Brown MM, Christodoulou X, Bryson S, Denkenberger DC. Food production in space from CO2 using microbial electrosynthesis. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 149:108320. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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