A Potential Solution to World Hunger

The study conducted jointly by Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has created a protein, which can be produced wherever renewable energy is available. The raw materials used to create the protein are present in air, and it is believed that the technology can be used in volatile areas in the future. Scientists at the research center believe a domestic appliance, a variation of the actual technology can help people produce the protein at home to meet their food needs. But, the protein is not for human consumption alone. It is also being developed currently as an animal feed. If successful, the world would be able to free precious resources including land areas such as pasture and forestry, thereby preserving the environment. Unlike the requirement of right soil, sunlight, temperature, and water conditions for agriculture, the protein can be produced at virtually all units. It requires no pest control and also does not have water runoffs or emissions of greenhouse gases. This means, the aftereffects can be managed as well and do not contribute to environmental hazards. Researchers calculate the protein creation process is almost 10 times efficient than that of photosynthesis, used in the cultivation of proteins such as soy. The research is now focused on improving the technology including the efficiency and production control. Eventually, commercial production will be possible through these systems. The price of the protein will drop once the technology used for the production becomes common. The present distribution of content is more than 50% proteins, 25% carbohydrates, while the remaining include nucleic acids and fats. The consistency can be changed depending upon the organisms used for the production. Since the research is to develop a production process which is emission-free and renewable, the success seems remarkable.