Towards affordable cultivated meat: The potential of plant protein hydrolysates
Jiaqi Mi, Hui Si Audrey Koh, V. Srinivas, William R. Birch, Weibiao Zhou
Abstract
The high cost and ethical concerns associated with serum usage remain significant barriers to the commercialisation of cell manufacturing, particularly in large-scale applications of cultivated meat (CM). Plant protein hydrolysates (PPHs) have emerged as promising candidates to replace serum, supporting the viability and proliferation of mammalian cells. However, despite their recognised potential in reducing cell culture media (CCM) costs, their application in CM has not been systematically explored. This article comprehensively reviews the potential of using PPHs in CCM, focusing on their production processes, composition, and bioactivities. It also evaluates their mechanisms for replacing serum, including anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and growth factor-like properties. Key challenges such as variability in PPH composition, unclear mechanisms, and potential impacts on CM product quality are discussed, along with potential solutions involving advanced characterisation, in silico screening, and growth factor-like peptide identification. PPHs hold significant potential to replace serum and basal media in CCM through the regulation of metabolic pathways by amino acids and peptides, as well as by mimicking growth factors. Future research should prioritise identifying PPH fractions with bioactive properties, characterising peptide structures, and understanding their mechanisms of action. Addressing these aspects will enable the development of standardised and cost-effective serum-free media formulations for scalable CM production. • PPHs provide cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to serum in CM production. • Bioactive peptides in PPHs mimic growth factors and support cell proliferation. • PPH variability and unclear mechanisms hinder consistent CM media development. • Emerging peptide profiling tools aid in identifying key bioactive peptides in PPHs. • Advances in PPH research promote scalable serum-free media for CM production.