"Space Meat: The Future of Vegan Burgers"
The European Space Agency is exploring the potential of growing lab-grown meat in space. The results are promising, and this research could have practical applications on Earth too. Could your future vegan burger be made with ingredients from outer space? Source: https://vegconomist.com/cultivated-cell-cultured-biotechnology/cultivated-meat/cultivating-meat-space-promising-european-space-agency/
Listen to the full episode of this Vegan Bytes podcast episode here: https://veganbytes.podbean.com/e/space-meat-the-future-of-vegan-burgers/
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome to Vegan Bytes, where we serve up the latest in vegan news and lifestyle in bite-sized portions. Today, we're taking you on a journey to the final frontier. No, not the grocery store during a tofu shortage, but space!
The European Space Agency, or ESA, has been exploring the potential of growing meat in space. Yes, you heard that right, we're talking about lab-grown, cell-based meat, not the kind that requires a cow to take a rocket ride.
Since 2021, the ESA has been on the hunt for experts in this field, funding research to see if it's possible to produce this kind of meat for astronauts on long-term missions. Two teams, one from Germany and one from the UK, have been working independently to develop this idea. They've been comparing the protein content of this space meat to other food alternatives like plants and algae.
And guess what? The results are in, and they're looking pretty promising. Both teams have concluded that the idea of producing cultivated meat in space isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. In fact, they're calling for further research.
But it's not just about feeding astronauts. The ESA is also working on technologies to improve bioprocesses and resource use onboard spacecraft. They're developing prototypes for closed-loop systems that can recycle nutrients and metabolic wastes. This could also be applied to cultivated meat production.
And here's the kicker: this research could have practical applications right here on Earth, potentially accelerating the transition to new ways of producing meat that are better for our planet.
The ESA isn't the only one interested in this. Last year, SpaceX crew members announced they were ready to conduct experiments on the effects of microgravity on muscle tissue cultivation. And a Swedish foodtech company was among the finalists for NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge for its innovative protein brewing system using algae and fungi.
As ESA engineer Paolo Corradi puts it, "We are at the beginning of a process that could transform the industry, making conventional meat production obsolete."
So, who knows? In the not-too-distant future, your vegan burger could be made with ingredients that are literally out of this world.
That's all for today's episode of Vegan Bytes. Remember, every small step towards a vegan lifestyle is one giant leap for animal rights. Until next time, keep reaching for the stars!
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome to Vegan Bytes, where we serve up the latest in vegan news and lifestyle in bite-sized portions. Today, we're taking you on a journey to the final frontier. No, not the grocery store during a tofu shortage, but space!
The European Space Agency, or ESA, has been exploring the potential of growing meat in space. Yes, you heard that right, we're talking about lab-grown, cell-based meat, not the kind that requires a cow to take a rocket ride.
Since 2021, the ESA has been on the hunt for experts in this field, funding research to see if it's possible to produce this kind of meat for astronauts on long-term missions. Two teams, one from Germany and one from the UK, have been working independently to develop this idea. They've been comparing the protein content of this space meat to other food alternatives like plants and algae.
And guess what? The results are in, and they're looking pretty promising. Both teams have concluded that the idea of producing cultivated meat in space isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. In fact, they're calling for further research.
But it's not just about feeding astronauts. The ESA is also working on technologies to improve bioprocesses and resource use onboard spacecraft. They're developing prototypes for closed-loop systems that can recycle nutrients and metabolic wastes. This could also be applied to cultivated meat production.
And here's the kicker: this research could have practical applications right here on Earth, potentially accelerating the transition to new ways of producing meat that are better for our planet.
The ESA isn't the only one interested in this. Last year, SpaceX crew members announced they were ready to conduct experiments on the effects of microgravity on muscle tissue cultivation. And a Swedish foodtech company was among the finalists for NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge for its innovative protein brewing system using algae and fungi.
As ESA engineer Paolo Corradi puts it, "We are at the beginning of a process that could transform the industry, making conventional meat production obsolete."
So, who knows? In the not-too-distant future, your vegan burger could be made with ingredients that are literally out of this world.
That's all for today's episode of Vegan Bytes. Remember, every small step towards a vegan lifestyle is one giant leap for animal rights. Until next time, keep reaching for the stars!