BANANA PEEL EXTRACTS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SINGLE CELL PROTEIN BY USING SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE.

Protein deficiency is a state of malnutrition which results from eating a diet in which proteins are not enough or present in an inadequate amount. It is a major factor responsible for a variety of ailments including mental retardation, kwashiorkor and even death, with millions of affected people as it increases an individual’s susceptibility to and severity of infections. The escalating prices of traditional protein sources have intensified this problem. The present study aims to produce low cost protein by using waste material like banana peels which can alleviate protein deficiency of masses while considerably reducing environmental pollution. Bioconversion of waste banana peels into valuable product like single cell protein (SCP) has the potential to solve the problem of protein deficiency worldwide. Here, banana peels were used as substrate; peels were treated with hydrochloric acid 10% (w/v), followed by inoculation with pure culture of the yeast i.e. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and left for eight days for fermentation. Temperature was maintained at 30º C for the growth of the yeast. Chemical analysis to quantify the protein content in the fermented media revealed an increase in the protein content as compared to the unfermented media.SCP is rich in certain essential amino acids which are limiting in most plant and animal sources. So, the protein thus produced is considered to be beneficial for the mankind for reducing illness and death. It is a method that can aid in reducing the burden of waste materials on the mother Earth.