Bacterial protein for food and feed generated via renewable energy and direct air capture of CO2: Can it reduce land and water use?

TLDR

The global food demand is projected to increase significantly. The study aims to maintain global food security by evaluating the land and water efficiency of bacterial protein production, estimating its direct use through a quantitative literature review. Bacterial protein is produced by capturing CO₂ directly from air using H₂‑oxidizing bacteria powered by renewable electricity in a closed, climate‑independent system. The technology can yield several times more protein per land area while using about one‑tenth the water compared to soybean production.

Abstract

The global food demand is projected to significantly increase. To maintain global food security in the future, protein production needs to become more efficient regarding the use of limited land and water resources. Protein-rich biomass can be produced via direct air capture of CO2 with the help of H2-oxidizing bacteria and renewable electricity in a closed, climate-independent system. This quantitative literature review conservatively estimated the direct land and water use of bacterial protein production relying on secondary data for the components of the technology and for the reference protein sources. A several times higher potential protein yield per land area can be achieved by this technology with approximately one-tenth of the water use compared to that required for soybean production.