PROTEIN FROM WASTES

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31206, 2 November 1966, Page 10

PROTEIN FROM WASTES

DEVELOPMENT INN.S.W. (Special Crspdt. N.Z.HA.) SYDNEY, Nov. 1. “Germ cutlets,” manufactured in Australia, could save the lives of millions of starving Asians, according to scientific research workers in Sydney. A process which could convert millions of tons of Australia’s industrial wastes into the life-saving “cutlets” has been developed at the University of New South Wales. Dr. F. J. Moss, who has spent the last 15 years on research into the process, said this week that it involved a new technique of continuous fermentation. He said it could be used to convert waste by-products from industries such as paper-making, sugar processing, flour milling and milk separation, into life-saving proteins. Dr. Moss said the proteins emerged as a tasteless powdery yeast, which could be added to ordinary food, boosting its protein value. Lack of protein was the major cause of malnutrition throughout the world. Fermentation—which is used in brewing—is a bacteria, or germ, generation process. The resulting mass of germs is a type of edible yeast, and is known to scientists as a “germ cutlet.” Dr. Moss said: “Raising beef is producing protein. So is fermenting yeast The beef tastes better but is very inefficient. “It takes months for a steer to double its weight. For a couple of bacteria to double their weight takes 100 minutes. The advantages are obvious.”