Chinese researchers recently developed a high-efficiency method to synthesize artificial starch and microbial proteins from corn stalks. This method can reduce the production cost of artificial starch and provide a new approach to produce food.
Population growth and climate change pose great challenges to food security. This efficient conversion of agricultural waste into artificial food is an important way to alleviate the food crisis and achieve sustainable agricultural development.
Researchers from the Biotechnology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other Chinese institutions used a multi-enzyme molecular system and baker’s yeast to transform cellulose from corn stalks into artificial starch, and produce microbial proteins by fermentation under aerobic conditions.
The whole production process requires only a small investment in equipment, and it does not require any coenzyme or energy input, nor does it result in the loss of sugar, thus providing the possibility of producing artificial starch and microbial protein at a low cost, according to the study. The study was published in the journal Science Bulletin.