ReCell: Upcycling food by-products for sustainable cell culture media
A research project of Leibniz Universität Hannover in cooperation with Cultimate Foods
In view of rising global demand for alternative protein sources, cellular agriculture is becoming increasingly important. Particularly with regard to sustainability and animal welfare, it represents a promising alternative to conventional, animal-based food production.
A key lever for its ecological, ethical, and economic performance is the culture medium used.
Innovative formulation strategies for more sustainable and cost-effective culture media
Studies show that the culture medium accounts for up to 48-89% of the total ecological footprint and around 30% of production costs in the production of cultured meat, for example.
This is precisely where the ReCell project comes in, developing innovative and efficient culture media based on by-products from established industries. The aim is to replace critical media components such as base media, FBS (fetal bovine serum), and growth factors with sustainable alternatives.
New raw material candidates are tested for feasibility, sustainability, functionality, and biological compatibility. Formulations with the most promising candidates are then optimized and validated in larger bioreactor systems to evaluate performance and stability in industrial plants.
Leibniz University Hanover
Project leader: PD Dr. Antonina Lavrentieva
Cooperation partner: Cultimate Foods GmbH