Modernizing ancient techniques: How harnessing microbes could make alternative proteins more palatable
Modernizing ancient techniques: How harnessing microbes could make alternative proteins more palatable


There’s a growing category of foods using an age-old technique that experts say could be a dark horse in the race to create more affordable and tasty meat alternatives: Fermentation.
Protein-rich products made from fermenting tiny organisms called microbes could play a significant role in supporting a shift away from more resource-intensive ways of producing food.
Precision fermentation uses microbes to produce specific ingredients that influence the functionality and taste of foods. The ingredients created through this type of fermentation, which include proteins, vitamins, enzymes, fats and natural pigments, can be used to enhance plant-based goods and lab-grown meat to make foods that more closely resemble traditional animal products.
“One thing that we know about alternative protein products is that it’s really important that we try to reach taste and price parity with conventional animal products,” said Shayna Fertig, a senior adviser at the Good Food Institute.
…
“One of the cool things that the microbial world gives us is certain types of [protein-rich] fermentation-derived products that could be really savory or umami tasting, or things that can be very neutral that can get added to other foods that people like,” [Good Food Institute’s Adam] Leman said.
This is an excerpt. Read the original post here

![]() | Videos | More... |

Video: Nuclear energy will destroy us? Global warming is an existential threat? Chemicals are massacring bees? Donate to the Green Industrial Complex!
![]() | Bees & Pollinators | More... |

GLP podcast: Science journalism is a mess. Here’s how to fix it

Mosquito massacre: Can we safely tackle malaria with a CRISPR gene drive?

Are we facing an ‘Insect Apocalypse’ caused by ‘intensive, industrial’ farming and agricultural chemicals? The media say yes; Science says ‘no’
![]() | Infographics | More... |

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer
![]() | GMO FAQs | More... |

Why is there controversy over GMO foods but not GMO drugs?

How are GMOs labeled around the world?

How does genetic engineering differ from conventional breeding?
![]() | GLP Profiles | More... |

Alex Jones: Right-wing conspiracy theorist stokes fear of GMOs, pesticides to sell ‘health supplements’








Viewpoint — Fact checking MAHA mythmakers: How wellness influencers and RFK, Jr. undermine American science and health
Viewpoint: Video — Big Solar is gobbling up productive agricultural land and hurting farmers yet providing little energy or sustainabilty gains
Fighting deforestation with CO2: Biotechnology breakthrough creates sustainable palm oil alternative for cosmetics
Trust issues: What happens when therapists use ChatGPT?
30-year-old tomato line shows genetic resistance to devastating virus
California, Washington, Oregon forge immunization alliance to safeguard vaccine access against federal undermining
The free-range chicken dilemma: Better for birds, but with substantial costs
‘You have to treat the brain first’: Rethinking chronic pain with Sanjay Gupta