Did someone just mention food?
Well, calling it food is a bit of a stretch at this point—but it’s a start. Finnish researchers have successfully created “food” by mixing three ingredients into a coffee-cup-sized, star trek style “protein reactor”, supplied with electricity.
The powder that is around 50% protein and 25% carbohydrates, with the rest being fat and nucleic acid, was created by the scientists at the Lappeenranta University of Technology and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland; the Ministry of Magic should take some pointers from these guys (seeing that it directly violates Five Principal Exceptions to Gamp’s Law of food).
The “protein reactor” can be used anywhere with access to electricity and therefore the scientists hope the technology will help free up crop production for livestock and offer an alternative source of protein for humans. They are additionally working on optimize the system because, currently, the bioreactor is takes around two weeks to produce one gram of the protein. Pitkänen said in a LUT press release, “We are currently focusing on developing the technology: reactor concepts, technology, improving efficiency, and controlling the process.”
He predicted that it would take about a decade before a more efficient incarnation of the system
would be widely available — “Maybe 10 years is a realistic timeframe for reaching commercial capacity, in terms of the necessary legislation and process technology.”Although a long way off reality, whenever it does make to the market, potential impact of food produced using electricity and other widely available raw materials is enormous.
The team sees it as a means of feeding starving people and providing a source of food in areas that are not suited to agricultural production. Pitkänen said that, in the future, “the technology can be transported to, for instance, deserts and other areas facing famine,” providing a source of cheap and nutritious food to those who need it most.
Furthermore, machine also works independently of environmental factors, meaning that it could feed people consistently — Jero Ahola, a Professor at LUT, said in the press release that it “does not require a location with the conditions for agriculture, such as the right temperature, humidity or a certain soil type.”
Another potential this bioreactor holds is the capability to decrease global emissions by reducing the demand for food livestock and the crops necessary to feed them. Currently, the meat industry accounts for between 14 and 18 percent of global emissions of greenhouse gases.
The next stage for researchers is to begin a pilot production which will allow them to produce sufficient quantities for testing animal feed and food products, which could later lead to commercialisation.
“The idea is to develop the concept into a mass product, with a price that drops as the technology becomes more common. The schedule for commercialisation depends on the economy,” Professor Ahola said.
