Question

Mention the names of two bacteria used for SCP production.

Answer 1

Hint:SCP stands for single cell protein.It is a microbial mass for consumption as human food or animal feed produced by growing on agricultural and other organic wastes.

Complete answer:
Microbial biomass is produced as a low cost substrate that can be used for food for humans or feed for domesticated animals.

The bacterias that can be used for SCP production are Spirulina and Methylophilus methylotrophus.

Spirulina can be grown easily on materials like wastewater from potato processing plants containing starch, straw, molasses, agriculture waste, sawdust, animal manure and even sewage to produce large quantities of food rich in proteins,minerals,fats,carbohydrates and vitamins.

As a matter of fact,such utilisation also reduces environmental pollution. It prevents the virus from penetrating a cell wall and infecting the cell. Spirulina also increases the production of cytokines. This benefit comes from the antioxidants present within the organisms.

Spirulina are an excellent source of iron and are useful in the treatment of anemia. They can also act as a food source for intestinal flora such as Lactobacillus and Bifidus.Studies also show that Spirulina can prevent the release of histamines, treating allergy symptoms.

It has been calculated that a cow of 250 kg weight produces only 200 gm of protein per day while it eats 20-30 kg of food.In the same period,250 gm of a microbe like Methylophilus methylotrophus,can produce 25 tonnes of protein from waste material because of its high rate of multiplication.

Note:SCP can also be produced by using yeasts and fungi. The uses of SCP are,
-They can be used as a substitute for protein-rich foods in animal and human feeds.
-It can be used for lowering of blood sugars.