Bluu Biosciences, a German start-up specializing in the development and production of cell-based fish, has developed a process for cell-based fish production. The company plans to launch its product by the end of 2023. According to data from the WWF, 60% of commercially exploited fish stocks are maximally utilized, and 33% are already overfished. This endangers not only the ecosystems and food chains in the oceans but also the nutrition of millions of people for whom fish is the most important source of protein. Unlike lab-grown meat, which has already received approval in Singapore, cell-based fish substitutes have not been extensively researched. Bluu Biosciences has now closed this research gap.
The scientists take a small piece of tissue from a fish by biopsy to obtain the required cells. These isolated cells are then converted into a type of stem cell in the laboratory so that they can divide infinitely. The cells are then placed in a bioreactor with a nutrient solution. The team is currently focusing on optimizing the nutrient media to make the production of fish cells a valid alternative from an economic perspective. The team is also working to substitute plant-based growth factors for the fetal calf serum (FCS) contained in the current nutrient media. Once these development steps have been successfully completed, the production method will be scaled up for use in the industry.
The cell-based fish production is very advantageous for the environment. “The slaughter of fish is eliminated, and ideally, a biopsy is only required once,” explains Sebastian Rakers, CEO of Bluu Biosciences. The alternative from the bioreactor could replace fish removal from the oceans. In addition to reducing the burden on fragile ecosystems, the cell-based factories can function practically anywhere in the world, enabling short supply chains and saving CO2 emissions. The cell-based fish produced using state-of-the-art biotechnology could thus make a significant contribution to global animal protein supply. The company plans to launch its product by the end of 2023, initially supplying restaurants with laboratory-grown fish, and later supermarkets.
