Single cell protein production from beet pulp by mixed culture.

Different mixed cultures of Trichoderma reesei and a yeast were cultivated on beet pulp (BP)-containing medium. T. reesei and Kluyveromyces marxianus offered a combination that gave high SCP yields (51%) and efficiently converted BP into proteins (39.4%). The yeast extract in the basal medium could be substituted and the BP level multiplicated from 2 to 4% upon using mixed culture of T. reesei and K. marxianus. Under these conditions the protein yields reached to a maximum value of 54% and highest efficiency of BP conversion into proteins (41.8%). The obtained protein proved to contain all essential amino acids, which compared favourably with those of the FAO guideline and soy bean oil meal.