Single-cell protein production from photosynthetic bacteria wastewater treatment.

The production of single-cell protein (SCP) from microorganisms holds significant importance due to its potential as an alternative protein source. Photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) wastewater treatment and resource recovery method stands out as an effective means to produce SCP, protein content is usually in the 40-60% range, thereby making it a highly valuable byproduct. This comprehensive review not only summarizes the current methods for the production and utilization of SCP but also traces the historical evolution of protein production from PSB wastewater treatment. It delves into the various factors that influence the yield of SCP, meticulously analyzing aspects such as the specific PSB strain employed, the type of wastewater processed, and the light-oxygen conditions under which the process occurs.While this technology has garnered increasing attention in recent years owing to its dual benefits of wastewater treatment and SCP production, the number of studies conducted in this field remains relatively scarce. Furthermore, the majority of these studies have primarily focused on the utilization of the Rhodopseudomonas genus for treating food wastewater treatment under light-anaerobic conditions. Despite these advancements, challenges to economic viability and limitations to industrial-scale production remain. At the conclusion of this review, we discuss the existing problems within the technology, such as the need for optimized conditions for different PSB strains and wastewater types, as well as the potential future prospects for its widespread adoption and commercialization.

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.