South Korean scientists develop sustainable ‘fleshy rice’

Scientists in South Korea have developed a new type of sustainable hybrid food – “meat-packed” rice – that they say could help solve the food crisis and climate change.

The new grain was grown in the lab by researchers at Seoul’s Yonsei University and is rich in cow muscle and fat cells.

The result is pink rice, which the researchers say could be a cheaper and more environmentally sustainable alternative to meat, with a lower carbon footprint.

“Imagine getting all the nutrients you need from cell-cultured protein rice,” said study co-author Park So-hyeon.

“Rice is already highly nutritious, but we can make it even more nutritious by adding livestock cells,” she said in a press release Wednesday. Case journal.

The grains were coated with fish gelatin to help the beef cells adhere to the rice, and then incubated in Petri dishes for up to 11 days.

The final product contained 8% more protein and 7% more fat than regular rice, and was harder and more brittle than the natural grain, the researchers said.

This latest product has a significantly reduced carbon footprint, as this manufacturing method eliminates the need for animal husbandry and husbandry, which “consumes large amounts of resources and water and releases large amounts of greenhouse gases.” said Park.

For every 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of protein produced, hybrid rice is estimated to emit less than 6.27 kilograms of carbon dioxide, while beef production releases eight times more carbon dioxide, according to a press release. .

If commercialized, it would be a much cheaper option for Korean consumers as hybrid rice would cost an estimated $2.23 per kilogram compared to about $15 per kilogram. Become.

The research team plans to further develop the process before the rice goes to market, allowing cells to grow better within the rice grains and gain more nutritional value.

“Right now, I feel there’s a world of potential in this grain-based hybrid food,” Park said.

“It could one day become famine relief, military rations, or even space food.”