Aggregating data for alternative seafood
Claire Bomkamp, Ph.D.Use our open-access databases to explore how scientific taxonomies and evolutionary relationships map onto culinary categories of seafood.
Industry
Expanding access to cell lines
Claire Bomkamp, Ph.D.Limited access to cell lines is a significant challenge for cultivated meat research. GFI is working to expand access and support the development of new cell lines.
Contract Manufacturing Database
Zak WestonUse this directory to find co-manufacturers, co-packers, private labelers, and contract manufacturing consultants for alt proteins.
The Plant Protein Landscape: Key ingredient sources for alternative proteins
This webinar will explore the key characteristics of plant protein sources for alternative protein end products.
HCJ Expo 2021
HJC is Japan's largest exhibition for hospitality, foodservice, and catering. The expo will take place in February 16-19, 2021 at Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo. HJC 2021 will feature a Natural Food Products exhibition zone with plant-based companies presenting.
Plant-based ingredient analytical and characterization service
Plant-based food manufacturers often struggle with batch-to-batch ingredient inconsistency and variability between suppliers. Better analytical tools for predicting plant-based ingredient performance could improve manufacturing efficiency and create more transparent ingredient markets. Tools are needed to predict how ingredients will perform after various processing methods and in end-product applications like plant-based meat and dairy.
Biological processing methods for isolating protein ingredients
Processing crops into flours, isolates, and concentrates often relies on chemical and mechanical methods. Biological processing techniques may impart the desired composition and molecular structure for optimal functionality with increased precision, lower cost, and greater suitability for small-scale processing. Biological processing techniques include using enzymes to fine-tune functional properties like solubility, gelling capacity, and fat- and water-binding capacity or using microbial fermentation to convert plant protein feedstocks into more functional forms.
Pooled procurement/group purchasing for ingredients and inputs
Many alternative protein companies use similar inputs, but individually lack the purchasing power to negotiate favorable contract terms. A pooled procurement/group purchasing mechanism for ingredients, inputs (growth factors, media, etc.), and feedstocks would help reduce costs and increase industry leverage.
Techno-economic models to inform product and process development
Techno-economic models are critical for process design and cost of goods projections. Open-access models based on generalized or exemplar processes with standardized unit operations and designs can form the foundation for individual companies’ work, reducing duplicative effort. Furthermore, techno-economic models can identify key cost drivers and opportunities for process improvements to guide future research efforts. The independent research consultancy CE Delft recently published a cultivated meat techno-economic analysis. However, similar efforts are needed for fermentation-derived and plant-based meat production.
Biosynthetic pathway discovery for fermentation-produced molecules
After identifying specific target molecules or desired functionalities in animal-derived foods, scientists can work backward, mining microbial sequences for candidate molecules in the microbial realm that might provide similar functionality. This process can also elucidate the pathways that produce these molecules and inform strategies for designing microbial strains that produce these molecules at scale.
