Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger
The global population is increasing rapidly and, according to the United Nations (UN), it is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. The demand for food is also increasing with a growing population. Food shortages, land scarcity, resource depletion, and climate change are significant issues raised du...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2636 |
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| author | Ayesha Muazzam Abdul Samad AMM Nurul Alam Young-Hwa Hwang Seon-Tea Joo |
| author_facet | Ayesha Muazzam Abdul Samad AMM Nurul Alam Young-Hwa Hwang Seon-Tea Joo |
| author_sort | Ayesha Muazzam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The global population is increasing rapidly and, according to the United Nations (UN), it is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. The demand for food is also increasing with a growing population. Food shortages, land scarcity, resource depletion, and climate change are significant issues raised due to an increasing population. Meat is a vital source of high-quality protein in the human diet, and addressing the sustainability of meat production is essential to ensuring long-term food security. To cover the meat demand of a growing population, meat scientists are working on several meat alternatives. Bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae have been identified as sources of microbial proteins that are both effective and sustainable, making them suitable for use in the development of meat analogs. Unlike livestock farming, microbial proteins produce less environmental pollution, need less space and water, and contain all the necessary dietary components. This review examines the status and future of microbial proteins in regard to consolidating and stabilizing the global food system. This review explores the production methods, nutritional benefits, environmental impact, regulatory landscape, and consumer perception of microbial protein-based meat analogs. Additionally, this review highlights the importance of microbial proteins by elaborating on the connection between microbial protein-based meat analogs and multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8285d321e1b248138734f66a1512722d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-8285d321e1b248138734f66a1512722d2025-08-20T04:00:49ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011415263610.3390/foods14152636Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero HungerAyesha Muazzam0Abdul Samad1AMM Nurul Alam2Young-Hwa Hwang3Seon-Tea Joo4Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of KoreaDivision of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of KoreaDivision of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of KoreaInstitute of Agriculture & Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of KoreaDivision of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of KoreaThe global population is increasing rapidly and, according to the United Nations (UN), it is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. The demand for food is also increasing with a growing population. Food shortages, land scarcity, resource depletion, and climate change are significant issues raised due to an increasing population. Meat is a vital source of high-quality protein in the human diet, and addressing the sustainability of meat production is essential to ensuring long-term food security. To cover the meat demand of a growing population, meat scientists are working on several meat alternatives. Bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae have been identified as sources of microbial proteins that are both effective and sustainable, making them suitable for use in the development of meat analogs. Unlike livestock farming, microbial proteins produce less environmental pollution, need less space and water, and contain all the necessary dietary components. This review examines the status and future of microbial proteins in regard to consolidating and stabilizing the global food system. This review explores the production methods, nutritional benefits, environmental impact, regulatory landscape, and consumer perception of microbial protein-based meat analogs. Additionally, this review highlights the importance of microbial proteins by elaborating on the connection between microbial protein-based meat analogs and multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2636microbial proteinsmeat alternativesfood securitysustainable protein sourcesUN sustainable development goals |
| spellingShingle | Ayesha Muazzam Abdul Samad AMM Nurul Alam Young-Hwa Hwang Seon-Tea Joo Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger Foods microbial proteins meat alternatives food security sustainable protein sources UN sustainable development goals |
| title | Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger |
| title_full | Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger |
| title_fullStr | Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger |
| title_short | Microbial Proteins: A Green Approach Towards Zero Hunger |
| title_sort | microbial proteins a green approach towards zero hunger |
| topic | microbial proteins meat alternatives food security sustainable protein sources UN sustainable development goals |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2636 |
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