German research into biotechnological protein production

Researchers in Germany are advancing biotechnological methods to produce essential nutrients using renewable energy and chemical feedstocks.

Initially, the Technical University of Munich developed a solar-powered process that utilizes carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and renewable electricity to create amino acids. This method uses solar energy to produce hydrogen, which is then combined with CO₂ to create methanol, eventually using specialized enzymes to produce a range of seven different amino acids for potential use in animal feed.

Building on similar concepts, researchers at the University of Tübingen have demonstrated the economic viability of industrial-scale ‘power-to-protein’ or ‘power-to-vitamin’ production. Their optimized two-step microbial process converts carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen into proteins and vitamin B9 (folic acid). The study suggests that a facility providing daily recommended doses to 5.6 million people could reach profitability within five years, offering a potential solution to global food security and undernourishment challenges.