Written | Gianluca Riccio
Compile | cold summer
The source of the image is | VTT, Statista
Are you drinking coffee?
According to Statista's February 2021 report, Coffee market worldwide - statistics & facts: Between 2018 and 2019, a total of 170 million bags of coffee were produced worldwide, each weighing 60 kilograms. In other words, a total of 10.2 million tons of coffee were produced worldwide this year.
Image source: Statista
Growing coffee requires a vast land area and a suitable climate temperature. However, with the growing demand for coffee, these two conditions restrict the production of coffee to some extent. In addition, in order to meet the growing global demand for coffee and increase coffee production, it is necessary to expand the area of coffee cultivation, which in turn will cause further ecological damage, such as the cutting down of trees in key areas such as tropical rainforests. As a result, the sustainability of traditional agricultural cultivation of coffee has been challenged, and scientists are eager to find alternative ways to produce coffee.
01
The first cup of "cell" coffee
Finnish research institute VTT has successfully grown coffee in the laboratory using plant cells. The entire R&D process is carried out in collaboration with scientists in a variety of fields such as plant biotechnology, chemistry and food science.
To grow "cell" coffee, the cell line of plant cells (the population of cells that multiply after the first successful passage of primary cell cultures) is first obtained in the laboratory, and then the cell lines are placed in nutrient-rich bioreactors for cultivation. The resulting substances are dried, roasted, fermented and eventually form coffee.
In the VTT laboratory in Finland, researchers grow coffee from plant cells
After performing a biomass analysis of the cultured coffee, the research team finally tasted the first cup of "cell" coffee. Heiko Rischer, head of VTT's research team, said: "Our team was thrilled when we drank the first cup of 'cell' coffee in the lab. ”
Elvira Kàrkkàinen, a researcher at the VTT research institute in Finland
What kind of coffee is bred with plant cells this time, is it delicious? Richer replied that they used the cells of the coffea arabica leaf and bred the most well-known Arabica coffee. Originating in East Africa, Arabica coffee is a traditional Arabic coffee variety. Richer said that whether in aroma or taste, "cell" coffee is very similar to agricultural coffee, which is the taste of Arabica coffee.
Arabica coffee is cultivated with small fruit coffee leaves
In addition to coffee, the VTT "Cell" coffee research team also produces a variety of animal and plant products in the laboratory. "The Cell Coffee project is part of our all-out efforts to develop the use of biotechnology to produce agricultural grown commodities," Richer said. So, we also try to grow a variety of products with many different bacteria and plant cells. ”
02
Cell culture, sustainable production
So far, the "cell" coffee produced by VTT has only been an experimental drink. "I estimate it will take about four years to go through the regulatory approval process," Richer said. We can use these four years to improve production efficiency and optimize the growth process of plant cells with specific technologies. Lab-grown coffee is already a reality, followed by product formulations, downstream processing, regulatory approvals and market launches. ”
Dried "cell" coffee culture
The rise of cell cultivation technology marks an inflection point in the global ecology and the global dietary consumer market. Not only coffee, but scientists can also use animal cells in the laboratory to grow artificial beef, pork, chicken, fish and so on. A Spanish start-up technology company, Novomeat, also invented the 3D meat printer, which prints "ink" consisting of plant proteins, water, vegetable fats, fiber, natural flavors, and edible coloring.
These studies will gradually change the production and consumption of the world's diet. More and more companies are rethinking the production of food ingredients. According to a report by Kearney Management Consulting, 35% of the world's animal meat will be replaced by artificial meat by 2040. Therefore, producing more sustainable food for the global environment and human health will become a new trend leading the market.
[Science Focus Magazine (wx: kexuejiaodian) is the copyright partner of Science Focus magazine in the United Kingdom, focusing on reporting on important research, advanced technologies and innovative products that are about to transform human society.
Reference Information
https://en.futuroprossimo.it/2021/09/finlandia-prime-tazze-di-caffe-cellulare-coltivato-in-laboratorio/
https://www.vttresearch.com/en
https://www.statista.com/topics/5945/coffee-market-worldwide/
https://www.vttresearch.com/en/news-and-ideas/sustainable-coffee-grown-finland-land-drinks-most-coffee-capita-produces-its-first
https://www.republicworld.com/lifestyle/food/first-ever-lab-grown-coffee-produced-by-scientists-in-finland-tastes-ordinary.html