Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Single-Cell Protein Production by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in MRS Medium: Hotspots, Bottlenecks, and Optimization Scenarios for Sustainable Bioprocess Design

Authors : Halil İbrahim Uzun

Pages : 14-29

View : 47 | Download : 235

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study presents a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of single-cell protein (SCP) production using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in MRS medium under laboratory conditions. Following ISO 14040/44 and applying the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method, ten environmental impact categories were evaluated. The functional unit was 1 kg of dried SCP biomass. Life cycle inventory was compiled from experimental data and Ecoinvent 3.11, adapted to Turkey’s electricity mix. Results revealed high burdens in climate change (645.7 kg CO₂-eq), terrestrial ecotoxicity (1075.9 kg 1,4-DCB-eq), and fossil fuel use (160.3 kg oil-eq), driven by electricity consumption, especially during centrifugation. Water use (7.4 m³) and land use (443.7 m²a) were also substantial. Compared to hydrogen-based systems, the MRS-based SCP system exhibited higher impacts due to fossil energy and synthetic media. Scenario-based improvements—including waste-derived media, renewable energy, and high-yield strains—are proposed. The findings offer key insights for improving the environmental sustainability of microbial protein production systems.
Keywords : Tek Hücre Proteini, Çevresel Biyoteknoloji, Yaşam Döngüsü Değerlendirmesi (LCA), Biyoproses Sürdürülebilirliği, Çevresel Sürdürülebilirlik

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