Algae, New Protein Source: Good for the Environment but Could this End World Hunger?

Researchers claim in a study that algae could meet all of the world's and the United States protein needs in as little as 30 years. Could algae protein be the answer to world hunger?

Food stability around the world is already an issue, and things could get worse. According to United Nations estimates, there will be 8 billion people on the planet by the end of this year, and 9.7 billion by the year 2050.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, there are currently about 870 million people in the world who lack access to enough healthy food, and by 2050, it is predicted that this number could rise by up to 100%.

Beef Protein vs. Environment

Significant challenges must be overcome to increase food production to satisfy this demand. One reason is that popular sources of protein in the West, like beef, frequently have a significant environmental impact.

According to a 2018 study that was published in the journal Science, beef is by far the least beneficial protein source for the environment, producing 105 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents for every 100 g of protein. In addition, the utility Denver Water estimates that 1,847 gallons of water are needed to produce only 1 pound of beef.

The 2018 study found that the total amount of carbon dioxide equivalents produced by the current food supply chain is 13.7 billion metric tons or 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions produced by people. Additionally, agriculture consumes a significant amount of space-43% of the planet's ice-free and desert-free land-and significantly contributes to deforestation.

Charles Greene, a professor at Cornell University's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, thinks algae might provide the answer. He is one of the authors of a recent study that claims coastal areas in the global south could grow enough marine algae to feed the entire world. According to the study, this method would not only make up for the lack of protein but also lessen the environmental impact of the existing food production system.

Over 100% Protein from Algae

According to the research, algae may be able to meet more than 100% of the world's protein needs by 2050.

Algae, a group of primarily marine organisms, perform photosynthesis despite lacking the roots, stems, and leaves of plants. Algae can be made up of a single cell or many connected cells.

In the study that Greene co-authored, it was discovered that some species of algae contain more than 40% dry mass in protein, in addition to offering micronutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and omega-3.

Greene said that microalgae, as opposed to terrestrial plants, can give humans the full range of nutrients.

Read also: Fungi-Based Proteins: Scientists Develop Alternative to Plant-Based Substitutes, Reduces Carbon Footprint Further 

Microalgae Cultivation

Commercial development of algae via water farms is not new Although the commercial cultivation of algae in water farms is not a recent development, it has only recently gained traction in specialized food markets. Since algae don't need soil or irrigation, they could yield a more accessible food source while only occupying a small portion of the available land.

According to Greene, facilities for growing marine microalgae should be built as soon as possible because the technology won't be fully utilized until it has gained experience and achieved economies of scale.

He continued that these facilities are currently economically viable. However, once the details-which can only be figured out through experience-are worked out, their profitability ought to increase significantly. Federal and state support, similar to that provided for wind and solar energy, can jumpstart this process and increase the private sector's interest in large-scale commercialization.

However, not all nations would stand to gain directly from a boom in algae farms. Only a few locations in the US would be suitable for microalgae farming. The tropics-specifically, parts of Central and South America, Africa, India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia-would be the ideal locations.

Greene added that this is certainly not a solution that will help many US farmers, but it might help US investors a lot. As the researchers note in their paper, the Green Climate Fund is one way, among many, that the US could help mitigate climate change by investing in developing nations, Newsweek reports.

Related article: Artificial Intelligence Predicts Algae to be Potential Renewable Source in Future