npj Science of Food (Dec 2024)

Exploring cost reduction strategies for serum free media development

  • Jun Ping Quek,
  • Azra Anwar Gaffoor,
  • Yu Xuan Tan,
  • Tessa Rui Min Tan,
  • Yu Feng Chua,
  • Dawn Sow Zong Leong,
  • Alif Sufiyan Ali,
  • Say Kong Ng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-024-00352-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Cultivated meat production offers solutions in addressing global food security and sustainability challenges. However, serum-free media (SFM) used in cultivating the cells are expensive, contributing to at least 50% of variable operating costs. This review explores technologies for cost-effective SFM, focusing on reducing cost from using growth factors and recombinant proteins, using affordable raw materials for basal media, and implementing cost-saving measures like media recycling and reducing waste build-up.