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Researchers have successfully cultivated beef cells within rice grains, marking a groundbreaking achievement.
Scientists in South Korea claim that their lab-grown beef rice has the potential to provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly protein option.
According to their description, the hybrid rice is a tasty and nutritious combination of foods. They claim that it contains 8% more protein and 7% more fat than traditional rice.
According to scientists, hybrid rice releases less than 6.27kg of carbon dioxide for every 100g of protein produced, whereas beef releases 49.89kg, which is eight times more.
According to them, if their hybrid rice is sold commercially, it could be priced at approximately £1.77 (equivalent to 2.23 dollars) per kg, which is significantly lower than the cost of beef which is six times more expensive at £11.85 (equivalent to 14.88 dollars).
Could rice beef be the future of food?
The source is Yonsei University/PA Wire.
According to Sohyeon Park from Yonsei University in South Korea, our main source of protein is typically derived from livestock. However, the production of livestock requires significant amounts of resources and water, and also contributes to the release of greenhouse gases.
She stated: “Consider the possibility of getting all of our necessary nutrients from rice made from cell-cultured protein.”
“Rice already has a high nutrient level, but adding cells from livestock can further boost it.”
To create hybrid rice, the scientists initially applied a layer of fish gelatin to facilitate the attachment of beef cells.
The grains were combined with cow muscle and fat stem cells and incubated in a petri dish for a maximum of 11 days.
According to the study, the beef rice produced through cell culture meets food safety standards and poses a minimal risk of causing food allergies.
Ms. Park expressed surprise at the successful growth of cells in rice, and now sees potential for this hybrid food made from grains.
In the future, it may be used to provide food during times of famine, as a military ration, or even as food for space missions.
Researchers have successfully cultivated beef cells within rice grains, creating a hybrid food that is both nutritious and flavorful.
The information is from Yonsei University/PA Wire.
The researchers have announced that their next steps involve increasing the nutritional content of their hybrid rice by improving the environment for muscle and fat cells to flourish within the grain.
Neil Ward, a specialist in agri-food and climate and a professor of rural and regional development at the University of East Anglia, expressed his views on the research, stating that there has been a growing interest in the past five years in finding alternatives to traditional meat that have a lesser impact on the environment.
“This study proposes the potential for a combination of rice that offers animal nutrients, resulting in significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cost.”
This area of study has potential for creating more sustainable and environmentally-friendly diets in the future.
Although the data on cost and climate impact appear promising, a crucial examination will be the level of public interest in these types of foods created in a laboratory.
“Replacing processed meats instead of prime cuts is likely the biggest potential for lab-grown alternative meats.”
The findings were published in the scientific journal Matter.
Source: independent.co.uk
