BTSA will participate in CULTUREDMEAT, CDTI’s R&D project to obtain cultivated meat.
The R&D project that will investigate future meat products for the prevention of colon cancer and dyslipidemia -CULTUREDMEAT- was born under the umbrella of 8 partner entities and 10 research organizations, with the aim of achieving a more sustainable and healthier agri-food sector.
In a world threatened by climate change, population growth poses a challenge when it comes to combining food and sustainability. For this reason, cultivated meat is positioned as one of the greatest innovations of our century, integrating food safety, animal welfare and sustainability in a unique product ideal for the whole family. Cultured meat is that which comes from the culture of animal muscle cells previously extracted by biopsy and which avoids animal sacrifice.
The general objective of the CULTUREDMEAT project is to investigate meat produced from cellular agriculture that, together with the development of healthy fats and functional ingredients, allow obtaining meat products for the prevention of dyslipidemia and colon cancer.
This project has been submitted to the CDTI ‘MISIONES’ call, a program designed to support sectorial strategic initiatives of business innovation within the framework of the State Program for Business Leadership in R&D of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2017- 2020.
Out of a total of 128 proposals submitted, only 24 have been approved, being CULTUREDMEAT the best valued in Spain in all areas.
Who forms CULTUREDMEAT?
Currently, there are very few entities worldwide that are producing cultured meat. In all cases, these are eminently scientific start-up companies that have not managed to overcome the barrier of larger-scale production. The production of cultured meat has aroused great interest in the industry and there are many investment funds that are betting on this new strategy of meat production.
CULTUREDMEAT was born thanks to the cooperation of biotechnology companies specialized in nutrition and production technologies at the national level, such as Argal (project leader), Biotech Foods, Martínez Somalo, DMC Research, BDI Biotech, Neoalgae, BTSA and Agrowingdata. The consortium also has the collaboration of 10 research organizations (CTIC CITA, Universidad de Oviedo, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid – FUAM, TECNALIA, Barcelona Science Park, Universidad de Sevilla – FIUS, VICOMTECH, Universidad de Granada, BIODONOSTIA and CIC BIOMAGUNE) to carry out the development of the idea. On the other hand, ZABALA Innovation leads the project management thanks to its extensive experience in calls for R&D grants.
Benefits of cultured meat
The consumption of red meat (beef, pork, lamb, etc.) is associated with highly prevalent diseases in Western countries such as colon cancer and dyslipidemia. Specifically, in Spain, colon cancer is the most frequent neoplasm in the population (if both genders are taken into account). That is why research into functional ingredients that can help prevent these diet-related diseases of high social impact is necessary.
Do you like the idea of cultured meat? Stick with the concept of “cultured meat” because it will become the next revolution of the food industry!
