Targeted downstream processing yields protein concentrates from microbial hydrogen fermentation

Hydrogen-based food biomanufacturing promises a resource-efficient route to protein production, but a major technological gap persists in understanding how single-cell biomass can be transformed into ingredients with predictable and desirable functional performance. This study presents a framework outlining the most essential steps for producing protein concentrates from biomass generated via microbial hydrogen fermentation. Chemolithotrophically cultivated Cupriavidus necator biomass is subjected to a streamlined processing sequence of alkaline preconditioning (pH 10), mechanical cell disruption (single pass at 2 kbar), and fractionation for efficient cell disruption (89%) and soluble protein recovery (78%). The resulting protein concentrate shows an amino acid profile containing all essential amino acids and a broad protein profile, underscoring its promising potential for food applications from the perspectives of both nutritional value and technofunctionality. The developed downstream process integrates sustainable protein production with resource valorization to achieve functionality in food and presents a transferable platform technology amenable to diverse microbial protein sources.