A group of South Korean scientists is trying to revolutionize protein consumption. Their method involves injecting cultured beef cells into individual rice grains, producing “meaty rice.” The team leader believes this is an ethical and sustainable protein source.
The team of scientists’ new take on rice involves packing the food with protein without harming any livestock. Instead, they pump the individual pieces of rice with cultured beef cells. The team leader and professor, Hong Jin-kee, believes the so-called “meaty rice” could prevent famine, help feed astronauts in space, and everything in between. There is a pink hue to the rice, but otherwise, it looks like an ordinary bowl of rice. However, it has a buttery aroma because it is packed with beef muscle and fat cell culture.
Because they use cultured meat, Hong tells AFP, “We can obtain animal protein without the slaughter of livestock.”
Companies worldwide want to find a way to commercialize meat alternatives because of the ethical issues surrounding livestock rearing. Additionally, companies want to look for alternatives because of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from animal farming. Alternatives include plant-based meat or cultured meat. Because it is already the top source of protein in Asia, Hong chose rice for his research. However, his process is currently too time-consuming. Hong coats the rice in fish gelatin for adherence; then, each individual grain is injected with beef cells before being cultured for up to 11 days.
According to Hong, rice has a “slightly porous structure,” and once beef cells are injected, the grain offers “an ideal structure for cells to grow uniformly from the inside out.”
