Protein Evaluations of Yeast Grown on Wood Hydrolyzate

The study investigated the use of wood hydrolyzate as a sugar source for the growth of six yeast strains and the potential of these yeasts as a protein source for animal feed. The yeasts consumed 90 to 96% of the reducing matter in the hydrolyzate and produced a yield of 42 to 58% with a protein content of 45 to 51%. When fed to protein-depleted rats, the yeasts led to less weight regain than casein, a milk protein. However, when methionine was added to the yeast diet, the weight regain was comparable to that with casein. The study concludes that with methionine supplementation, yeast grown on wood hydrolyzate could be a cost-effective and comparable alternative to animal protein sources.