Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40960032›Full record

ArticleNutrition bulletin2025

Microbial Protein for Human Consumption: Towards Sustainable Protein Production.

Anthony W Watson, Rebecca F Townsend, Matt Longshaw

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nutrition bulletin, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Anthony W WatsonSchool of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Rebecca F TownsendSchool of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Matt LongshawCalysta UK Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Funding

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Protein from animal sources significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, driving the need for sustainable alternative protein sources to meet global dietary demands while reducing environmental impact. This project explores microbial protein, derived through cellular agriculture using fermentation technology, as a viable, sustainable and high-quality protein for human consumption. This report describes a multidisciplinary approach to assessing the feasibility of incorporating microbial protein into human food systems, guided by four key objectives. First, a market analysis to identify opportunities and challenges for incorporating microbial protein into existing food products, assessing its potential to improve the protein quality of plant-based foods. Second, the project will evaluate the protein quality and digestibility of reformulated products using advanced models simulating human gastrointestinal processes. Third, consumer perceptions and barriers to adopting bacterial-based proteins will be investigated, addressing safety, health and sustainability concerns. Overall findings will inform the development of a technical document outlining actionable recommendations for commercialising microbial proteins as food ingredients. This multidisciplinary project aims to support the sustainable diversification of dietary protein sources, contributing to global efforts towards achieving sustainable food systems. The project is funded by the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy (STAR) Hub, a Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club (OIRC) which is funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Indexed as

Bacterial ProteinsDietary ProteinsAgricultureFermentationHumansBacterial ProteinsDietary Proteinsconsumer acceptancedigestibilityfermentationmicrobial proteinsustainability

Identifiers

PMID40960032
PMCPMC12621150

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.