With advancements in biotechnology and a growing concern for the environmental impact of traditional animal farming, cultured meat has emerged as a promising solution that could revolutionize the way we produce and consume protein. Cultured meat is produced by culturing animal cells in a controlled environment, without the need for raising and slaughtering animals. NanoEntek’s high-throughput automated cell counters, EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL, can accelerate the production of cultured meat.
NanoEntek’s high-throughput automated cell counters, EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL, can accelerate the production of cultured meat.
1. What is Cultured Meat?
Cultured meat, also known as lab-grown or cultivated meat, is produced by culturing animal cells to create meat products without the need for traditional livestock farming and slaughtering. This innovative approach involves isolating stem cells from animals such as cows or chickens and providing them with the necessary nutrients and environmental conditions to proliferate and differentiate into muscle, fat, and connective tissue cells. The resulting product closely resembles conventionally produced meat but offers significant advantages in terms of environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and potential health benefits.
2. Emerging Necessity of Cultured Meat
(1) Continuous Growth of World’s population
As of January 25, 2024, the global population has surpassed 8 billion and is projected to reach nearly 9 billion by 2050, according to real-time statistics from Worldometers. This population growth, coupled with shifting dietary habits towards increased meat consumption, especially in emerging economies, exacerbates ethical and environmental concerns associated with traditional meat production.
(2) Growing demand for Meat
Global meat production has surged from 70.57 million tons in 1961 to 337.18 million tons in 2020, driven by population growth and economic development. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts that meat demand will double by 2050. Livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 14.5% of global emissions, with cattle farming being the largest emitter due to methane release.
3. Benefit of Cultured Meat
Cultured meat offers a sustainable solution to the environmental and ethical challenges posed by conventional meat production. With up to 92% lower greenhouse gas emissions, 90% less land use, 98% less soil acidification, and 94% less air pollution compared to conventional beef, cultured meat addresses key sustainability issues. Additionally, its production is not limited by geographical constraints, enhancing food security and production efficiency while reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
4. How are cultured meat made?
Cultivated meat production embodies the principles of biomimicry, a discipline that draws inspiration from natural processes to develop innovative technologies. In the context of cellular agriculture this entails replicating the inherent cellular growth mechanisms found in animals outside of their living organisms
The manufacturing process starts by isolating and banking stem cells from an animal, which can self-renew and differentiate. These cells are then cultivated in bioreactors, often referred to as cultivators, in large quantities. These cells are nourished with a nutrient-rich medium containing amino acids, glucose, vitamins, salts, and growth factors to stimulating the conditions inside the animal’s body.
By adjusting the composition of the medium and providing cues from a scaffolding structure, the immature cells are prompted to develop into various tissues like skeletal muscle, fat, and connective tissues, which are the components of meat. Once the cells have differentiated, they are harvested, processed, and packaged into final products. This entire process typically takes between 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the type of meat being cultivated.
5. The Role of High-throughput Automated Cell Counter
(1) NanoEntek’s EVE™ HT Series: Transforming Bioprocess Efficiency with Superior Throughput, Minimal Sample Requirements, and Swift Measurement Times
The starting cell type ultimately influences many of the downstream variables of the bioprocess, including timelines and differentiation strategies. Accurate measurement of cell density during the initial seeding process is pivotal. A slight error in the seeding density can profoundly affect subsequent processes. Additionally, in bioreactors, it is necessary to culture a large number of cells rapidly. Therefore, periodic sampling and analyzing a substantial quantity of samples is essential in bioprocessing.
From this perspective, NanoEntek’s high-throughput automated cell counters, EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL, have an edge over other conventional high-throughput cell counters in terms of throughput, required sample volume, and measurement speed.
♦ Throughput
Conventional high-throughput automated cell counters have the capacity of measuring only up to 24 samples maximum. However, EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL is capable of measuring up to 48 samples per each test, enhancing the productivity of the R&D and manufacturing process. Researchers and operator could as a result, easily and quickly find the optimal condition in extensive experiment with different combination of parameters.
♦ Required Sample Volume
Whereas conventional high-throughput cell counters demand up to 500 µL of sample per test, EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL stand out by requiring only a minimal 20µL per test. This significant reduction not only showcases EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL’s exceptional efficiency but also underscores their ability to conserve valuable samples
♦ Measurement Time
For a batch of 48 samples, the EVE™ HT series completes the measurement process in only 3 minutes. In comparison, other equipment can take up to around 210 minutes. This represents a staggering time efficiency gap of nearly 70-fold, firmly establishing the EVE series as a leader in time efficiency.
Given these compelling advantages, NanoEntek’s EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL high-throughput automated cell counters offer high efficiency and accuracy for the initial bioprocess stages.
(2) The Integral Role of EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL in Cultured Meat Manufacturing
NanoEntek’s high-throughput automated cell counters, the EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL, are indispensable tools in the cultured meat production process, especially during the initial manufacturing stages. These devices are pivotal in monitoring and analyzing cell cultures, ensuring their health and viability throughout the production cycle.
By automating cell counting, these counters streamline operations, saving time and reducing labor while minimizing the risk of human error. Furthermore, they furnish researchers with precise and dependable data on cell growth and proliferation.
High-throughput automated cell counters are essential for assessing the quality and consistency of cultured meat products, ensuring that each batch meets the desired specifications. Additionally, these counters play an essential role in process optimization, enabling researchers to detect and rectify potential issues at the onset of the production cycle.
EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL measure up to 48 samples per test using only 20µL of sample, completing a batch measurement of 48 samples in just 3 minutes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cultured meat has the potential to revolutionize the food industry by offering a sustainable, ethical, and healthy alternative to traditional meat. NanoEntek's high-throughput automated cell counters, EVE™ HT and EVE™ HT FL, are instrumental in realizing this potential by providing researchers with the tools they need to produce cultured meat products that meet the highest standards of quality and consistency.
Overall, the development of cultured meat represents a significant step forward in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the food industry today. By harnessing the power of technology and innovation, we have the opportunity to create a more sustainable, ethical, and healthy food system for future generations.