South Korea scientists open up ‘world of possibilities’ by growing ‘meaty rice’

The brand new grain was grown in a lab by researchers at Seoul’s Yonsei College and is full of beef muscle and fats cells.

The result’s a pink rice that the staff says may supply a less expensive and extra environmentally sustainable meat various and depart a smaller carbon footprint.

“Think about acquiring all of the vitamins we’d like from cell-cultured protein rice,” mentioned Park So-hyeon, who co-authored the research.

The grain was coated in fish gelatin to assist beef cells latch onto the rice, after which left to tradition in a Petri dish for as much as 11 days.

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The ultimate product contained 8 per cent extra protein and seven per cent extra fats than common rice, the staff mentioned, and was extra agency and brittle than pure grains.

The newest creation left a considerably smaller carbon footprint because the manufacturing methodology eliminates the necessity to elevate and cattle, which eat “loads of assets and water and releases loads of greenhouse gasoline,” Park mentioned.

For each 100g (3.5 ounces) of protein produced, hybrid rice is estimated to launch below 6.27 kilograms of carbon dioxide, whereas beef manufacturing releases eight occasions extra, in keeping with the press launch.

If commercialised, it will present a less expensive possibility for shoppers in Korea, the place the hybrid rice is estimated to price round US$2.23 per kilo, whereas beef prices round US$15.

The staff plans to additional develop the method earlier than the rice goes in the marketplace in order that the cells can develop higher within the rice grain for extra dietary worth.

“Now I see a world of potentialities for this grain-based hybrid meals,” mentioned Park.

“It may at some point function meals reduction for famine, army ration, and even house meals.”