A Systematic Review of Human Trials on Mycoprotein - Way towards a Sustainable Ecosystem

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2022 Dec 31;68(12):5-11. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2022.68.12.2.

Abstract

Rapidly increasing global warming and world population calls for exploring untapped elements of biodiversity in a much broader sense. Though there exists much evidence on the importance of livestock and animal-derived protein, escalating challenges related to sustainability have led to finding alternatives to animal-derived proteins. Mycoprotein is an eco-friendly sustainable product. This fungal-derived protein is high in fiber and protein content. For this particular review paper, literature was searched for human trials using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. Fifteen trials, totaling 952 participants were included- 5 solely reported on cholesterol response, 3 for glycemic response and 2 for serum uric acid concentrations, while 4 studies reported the combined effect of health markers such as cholesterol, glycemic response, and uric acid concentrations and 1 study on gut health. The Jadad scale was used to assess the quality of studies. Five trails were identified to be of good quality scoring 3 or more. The results showed cholesterol lowering percentage to be ranging between 4.3 to 13%. Similarly, a significant increase of (+0.02) (P< 0.05) was observed in Lactobacillus spp from the baseline value following mycoprotein consumption. Results however were inconclusive for glucose and insulin response. Overall given the growing increase in sustainable proteins, this area should be explored further from a public health perspective.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholesterol
  • Ecosystem*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin
  • Uric Acid*

Substances

  • Uric Acid
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Insulin
  • Cholesterol