Beef cells grown on rice grains to create hybrid rice

This pink rice is grown in a lab by combining rice with beef muscle, bone and fat cells, thereby providing a meat alternative.

The rice grains were coated with fish gelatin so that the beef cells could adhere to them, then grown in a shallow dish for 11 days, resulting in a product containing 8% more protein and 7% more fat than regular rice.

"Imagine getting all the nutrients you need from cell-cultured protein rice. Rice is already high in nutrients, but adding animal cells can enhance it even more," explained study co-author Park So-hyeon.

Beef-hybrid rice is cultured in a laboratory at Yonsei University (South Korea). Photo: YONSEI University

Beef-rice hybrid products emit significantly less carbon because the production process does not require animal husbandry. For every 100g of protein, beef-rice hybrids are estimated to release less than 6.27kg of carbon dioxide (CO2), while beef production emits eight times more. In addition, if commercialized, beef-rice hybrids would cost about $2.23/kg, much lower than the price of beef.

Due to the low food safety risk and relatively easy production process, the research team is optimistic about commercializing the beef-rice hybrid product. The team will continue to research to develop more muscle and fat cells in the rice grain to increase its nutritional value.

"One day, these hybrid foods could be used to relieve hunger, provide rations for the military, and provide food for space astronauts," Science Daily quoted scientist Park So-hyeon.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/cay-te-bao-thit-bo-tren-hat-gao-de-tao-gao-lai-196240224201924929.htm