New technologies for the production of artificial meat will reduce the cost price

From June 21, 2023, the US Department of Agriculture allowed the sale of artificially grown meat, namely chicken meat obtained in a laboratory bioreactor using stem cells. Before that, the sale of such products was allowed only in Singapore.

So far, artificial meat cannot compete with natural meat, as it has a very high cost, but researchers are working on reducing the cost of production.

According to NEW SCIENTIST, scientists managed to obtain artificial meat from cells capable of producing a growth factor for themselves, which until now had to be introduced into cells from the outside. This technology will simplify the production of artificial meat and make it significantly cheaper.

In the process of manufacturing artificial meat, growth factors have the greatest value - substances that ensure the reproduction of cells, from which future raw materials for nuggets will be obtained. It was possible to replace some of these substances with cheaper ones, but there was no replacement for the main and most expensive component in this process - fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2).

Tufts University scientists discovered that modified bovine stem cells can express the desired substance. They have changed the genes responsible for the formation of skeletal muscle cells, in particular for the production of FGF2, after which the need to add expensive factors for the growth of the waste. Scientists believe that the new technology will work not only with beef, but also with any other meat. And its spread will reduce the impact of animal husbandry on the environment.