SCP and Tissue Culture

Did you know that microorganisms can actually be a source of protein for plants and animals? In fact, microorganisms are capable of producing large amounts of proteins despite their simple cellular structure. Let us take a look at Single Cell Protein and Plant Tissue Culture.

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Single Cell Protein (SCP)

Single cell protein is one of the alternate sources of protein for animal and human nutrition. The idea of obtaining vitamins from microorganisms like mushrooms and yeast was developed to solve the problem of hunger and malnutrition.

Microorganisms, despite being very small, are capable of producing tonnes of proteins due to their higher rates of biomass production. Microbes are grown on an industrial scale on materials like waste water from potato processing plant. straw molasses, animal manure, sewage etc.

Some Common Microbes used as SCP Producers:

• Bacteria Methylophilus, Methylotrophus, Brevibacterium
• Cyanobacteria spirulina
• Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, candida utilize
• Filamentous fungi Fusarium Graminearum
• Algae chlorella

Advantages of SCP

• Microorganisms show rapid growth so it can be grown in a large amount in a small period of time.
• We can grow on a wide range of raw materials and can be easily harvested.
• We have relatively higher protein content as compared to other healthy food items

Source: http://passel.unl.edu

Plant Tissue Culture

It is a method of growing cell tissue or organ in a nutrient media under controlled conditions. Part which is used for culturing is called explant. Explant is first sterilized by using Clorox water. Explant can be cultured on liquid, solid or semi-solid medium. The nutrient medium includes inorganic nutrients, organic nutrients, growth hormones etc.

Cellular totipotency is the ability of a plant cell to give rise to an entirely new plant is called cellular totipotency. Explant is grown in culture medium at appropriate temperature and aeration. This method of producing thousands of plants through tissue culture is called micropropagation.

Practical Applications of Plant Tissue Culture

• A large number of commercially useful plants can be grown in short period of time
• These plants are genetically same as the parent plant from which the explant is collected.
• Production of disease-free plants- Healthy copies of a diseased plant can be produced with the help of this technique. Shoot tips of an infected plant when grown in culture media produces healthy plants.

Somatic Hybridization

Scientists are capable of getting naked protoplast by dissolving the cell walls of a single cell. Isolated protoplast from two different varieties of plants having desirable traits can be fused to form a hybrid protoplast.

• These hybrids are called somatic hybrids
• Protoplasts of potato and tomato have been actually fused to form a Pomato, but this plant is not commercially viable.

Solved Questions for You

Q1. Why is it easier to culture meristems compared to permanent tissues?

Ans. Cells of meristem have the capability of cell division while cells of permanent tissues do not have this capacity. Hence, it is easier to culture meristems compared to permanent

Q2. A person who is allergic to pulses was advised to take a capsule of Spirulina daily. Give the reasons for the advice.

Ans. Spirulina is a good source of protein which contains all essential amino acids. The protein content of Spirulina is much higher than pulses. Hence, it can be a better source of protein; especially for those who are allergic to pulses.