Replacing Fetal Bovine Serum with Food Processing Byproducts in Culture Media for Cultured Meat – a Sustainable Development Path

Abstract

With increasing population and worsening environmental pollution, cultured meat is considered a promising protein source. However, current cultured meat production faces significant challenges, primarily due to the high cost of fetal bovine serum (FBS), a widely used culture medium. In recent years, widely available and abundant food processing byproducts have gained attention, considered as potential alternatives to FBS. This review summarizes three representative food processing byproducts: grain processing byproducts (okara), dairy processing byproducts (whey), and oil processing byproducts (soybean meal). The review first introduces the global annual production and current processing methods of these byproducts. It then discusses the key components in these byproducts that promote cell growth and proliferation. Based on existing experimental data, the application effects of these three food processing byproducts are described. Finally, considering environmental factors, extraction costs, and application effects, the potential of these three types of food processing byproducts as FBS substitutes is comprehensively evaluated, providing a theoretical reference for developing efficient and stable serum alternatives.