Table 4 Advantages of microalgal protein over conventional proteins
Parameter | Microalgal protein | Soy protein | Whey protein | Beef protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Protein yield (%) | 40–70% | 35–50% | 60–90% | 15–25% |
Production cost ($/kg)* | 5–15 | 1–2 | 4–8 | 5–20 |
Land use efficiency | High | Moderate | Low | Very low |
Water use (L/kg protein)* | Low (~ 500) | Moderate (~ 2500) | High (~ 4500) | Very high (~ 15,000) |
Greenhouse gas emissions (kg CO₂-eq/kg protein)* | Low (~ 2–5) | Moderate (~ 3–6) | High (~ 10) | Very high (~ 50) |
References | [135] | [135] | [128] | [16] |