University of Tübingen researchers validate industrial biotech protein production

Researchers at the University of Tübingen have demonstrated that industrial-scale biotechnological production of proteins and vitamins is economically viable. Using a process known as ‘power-to-protein’ or ‘power-to-vitamin’, microbes convert basic chemical ingredients—such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen—into nutrients for human consumption, bypassing the need for traditional livestock farming and agriculture.

Led by environmental biotechnologist Professor Lars Angenent, the team optimized a unique two-step process using two different microbes sequentially to produce proteins and vitamin B9 (folic acid). A study published in the journal PNAS indicates that a production facility capable of providing the daily recommended dose of vitamin B9 and protein to 5.6 million people at market prices would reach profitability within five years.

This technology aims to address challenges posed by global warming and a growing population, particularly in regions where protein needs are difficult to meet. According to United Nations estimates, approximately 733 million people suffered from undernourishment in 2023.