California-based cultivated meat company Omeat has revealed an alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) made with the bovine plasma of healthy cows. FBS is an ethically controversial and expensive cell nutrient media used by multiple industries.

Scientists at Omeats, including its founder Dr. Ali Khademhosseini, developed a method to source the regenerative factors needed for cell growth from the plasma of healthy cows. They were able to develop Plenty, a cost-effective growth media suitable for cultivated meat and other applications, including regenerative medicine, cell culture, and vaccine production. Omeat initially developed the growth media for its cultivated meat platform, but is now offering it through Plenty.

Omeat gets the cells and plasma for its cultivated meat from cows that freely graze on a farm in California. Omeat's scientists established a plasma collection process that they claim does not involve harming or sacrificing the cows and that ensures the welfare of the animals. The collection happens weekly and is similar to human plasma donation. Because plasma regenerates quickly, it does not deplete the animal, explains Omeat. Through the plasma from one cow, Omeat can produce large quantities of cultivated meat each year. This approach would significantly reduce the number of animals needed for beef production, making it possible to feed the planet with fewer animals.

For more details, read this article in VegConomist.

See https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=20376