Solar-powered microbes to feed the world?
Researchers show that protein from microbes uses a fraction of the
resources of conventional farming

Date:
July 30, 2021
Source:
University of Go"ttingen
Summary:
An international research team has shown that using solar-panels
to produce microbial protein -- which is rich not just in proteins
but also in other nutrients -- is more sustainable, efficient and
environmentally friendly than growing conventional crops. This
method uses solar energy, land, nutrients, and carbon dioxide from
the air.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Microbes have played a key role in our food and drinks -- from cheese
to beer - - for millennia but their impact on our nutrition may soon
become even more important. The world is facing growing food challenges
as the human population continues to increase alongside its demand for
resource intensive animal products. If these needs are to be met solely
by conventional agriculture, the environmental cost will be huge. An international research team led by a Go"ttingen University alumnus
has now shown that using solar-panels to produce microbial protein --
which is rich not just in proteins but also in other nutrients -- is
more sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly than growing conventional crops. This method uses solar energy, land, nutrients,
and carbon dioxide from the air.


========================================================================== Their research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences.

Using computer simulations drawing directly from laboratory results, the researchers modelled large-scale microbial food production facilities,
which use solar energy, air, water, and nutrients to grow microbes. The protein-rich biomass is harvested and processed, and the resulting powder
can be used as feed for animals, or as food for people. The study carried
out an analysis of the energy requirements for each step, from the very
start to the end product, taking into account: electricity generation
(from solar panels), electrochemical production of energy-rich substrate
for the microbes, microbe cultivation, harvesting, and processing the protein-rich biomass. Several types of microbes and growth strategies
were compared in order to identify the most efficient.

The study found that for each kilo of protein produced, solar-powered
microbes require only 10% of the land area compared to even the most
efficient plant crop -- soybean. The study calculated that even in
northern climates with less sunshine, the yields of solar-powered
microbial foods could far outproduce staple crops, while minimizing
water and fertilizer use. Importantly, this production could also be
located in regions not suitable for agriculture, such as deserts.

In previous research, the protein from these types of microbes has
shown beneficial effects when fed to livestock and is already produced
at large scale in the EU. "We expect that microbial protein will
also be beneficial as a supplement to our diets, since it provides a high-quality protein source composed of all essential amino acids, as
well as vitamins and minerals," explains first author Dorian Leger,
who carried out the work in the MPI of Molecular Plant Physiology
while studying at the University of Go"ttingen, along with colleagues
from Italy and Israel. "This technology has the potential to support
food production while preventing damage to the environment. Current
farming methods contribute to polluted ecosystems and depleted water
reserves worldwide." At the moment, 30-40% of the Earth's land is
used for farming, yet one in ten people are undernourished. Leger says, "Integrating the cultivation of nutrient-rich microbes with renewable
energy systems, such as solar panels, has the potential to produce more
food with less resources. This could free up vast amounts of agricultural
land, and, in addition, prevent the further destruction of natural
ecosystems thereby making a valuable contribution to conservation
and sustainability whilst promoting food availability globally." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Go"ttingen. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Dorian Leger, Silvio Matassa, Elad Noor, Alon Shepon, Ron Milo,
Arren
Bar-Even. Photovoltaic-driven microbial protein production
can use land and sunlight more efficiently than conventional
crops. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2021; 118
(26): e2015025118 DOI: 10.1073/ pnas.2015025118 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210730104303.htm

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