The world’s first commercial-scale factory for making nutrient-rich and versatile protein from air and sustainable energy has opened its doors in Finland, and the startup behind it aims to have its microbe-made food out in the US later this year. Solar Foods is just one of a handful vying for pole position in a burgeoning ‘air-protein’ market that’s expected to be worth US$100 million by 2032.

The protein, called Solein (no, not soylent green; solar-protein), is the brainchild of Pasi Vainikka and bioprocesses scientist Juha-Pekka Pitkänen, who started Solar Foods on the back of this creation. Pitkänen knew of single-cell soil-dwelling microbes that oxidize hydrogen for energy, and he was certain they could be harvested and harnessed to produce cellular food.

While the pair remains secretive of the exact microbial species and origin – not surprising, there’s a whole lot of money to be made in this burgeoning industry of alternative food production – they have revealed they’re found close to the shore in the Baltic Sea.

The result, following fermentation and drying, is a yellowish powder that’s reported to have a “mild aroma” and “notes of umami that hint at nuttiness and creaminess.” Because of this, it has broad potential as a high-protein dairy replacement.

“Just like with quantum computers, it’s no longer a question of will cellular agriculture become a thing: It’s evident that it will,” said Vainikka. “The question is more about who leads the charge.”

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here