Two-Stage Bioconversion of Cellulose to Single-Cell Protein and Oil via a Cellulolytic Consortium

A novel approach for converting non-edible plant biomass into single-cell protein and oil (SCPO) via consolidated bioprocessing has been established, leveraging aerotolerant thermophilic cellulolytic consortia consisting mainly of <i>Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum</i>, <i...

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Main Authors: Eric Charles Peterson, Christian Hermansen, Ashriel Yong, Rowanne Siao, Gi Gi Chua, Sherilyn Ho, Coleen Toledo Busran, Megan Teo, Aaron Thong, Melanie Weingarten, Nic Lindley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Fermentation
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/2/72
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Summary:A novel approach for converting non-edible plant biomass into single-cell protein and oil (SCPO) via consolidated bioprocessing has been established, leveraging aerotolerant thermophilic cellulolytic consortia consisting mainly of <i>Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum</i>, <i>Sporolactobacillus</i> spp. and <i>Clostridium sensu stricto</i> to achieve the rapid and complete conversion of crystalline cellulose into a consistent cocktail of lactate, acetate and ethanol. This cocktail is an excellent substrate for cultivating organisms for SCPO production and food and feed applications, including <i>Cyberlindnera jadinii</i>, <i>Yarrowia lipolytica</i> and <i>Corynebacterium glutamicum</i>. Cultivation on this cocktail resulted in yields (<i>Y<sub>X/S</sub></i>) of up to 0.43 ± 0.012 g/g, indicating a yield from cellulose (<i>Y<sub>X/Cellulose</sub></i>) of up to 0.27 ± 0.007 g/g (dwb). The resulting SCPO was rich in protein (42.5% to 57.9%), essential amino acids (27.8% to 43.2%) and lipids (7.9% to 8.4%), with unsaturated fatty acid fractions of up to 89%. Unlike fermentation feedstocks derived from easily digested feedstocks (i.e., food waste), this approach has been applied to cellulosic biomass, and this mixed-culture bioconversion can be carried out without adding expensive enzymes. This two-stage cellulosic bioconversion can unlock non-edible plant biomass as an untapped feedstock for food and feed production, with the potential to strengthen resiliency and circularity in food systems.
ISSN:2311-5637