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3D-printable plant protein-enriched scaffolds for cultivated meat development
Iris Ianovici1, Yedidya Zagury1, Idan Redenski1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
Biomaterials
|April 14, 2022
Summary
This study developed plant-based scaffolds for cultivated meat production using 3D printing. These scaffolds support bovine satellite cell maturation, offering a promising, animal-free approach for sustainable meat alternatives.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Food Science
Background:
- Rising global meat demand necessitates sustainable alternatives.
- Tissue engineering offers a pathway to create cultivated meat.
- 3D-printing is a key technology for fabricating complex tissue structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess plant-protein-enriched scaffolding compositions as 3D-printable platforms for bovine satellite cell (BSC) maturation.
- To evaluate these compositions as potential bioinks for cellular printing in cultivated meat production.
Main Methods:
- Developed two plant-protein (pea protein isolate and soy protein isolate) and RGD-modified alginate mixtures.
- Fabricated mold-based and 3D-printed scaffolds for BSC cultivation.
- Utilized an edible agar support bath for extrusion-based 3D-printing.
- Demonstrated cellular bioprinting using protein-enriched bioinks.
Main Results:
- Protein-enriched scaffolds showed enhanced stability and stiffness, supporting BSC spreading and maturation.
- 3D-printed constructs supported BSC attachment and differentiation.
- Cellular bioprinting achieved high cell viability (∼80-90%) post-printing.
- Mature cells were successfully cultured within 3D-printed cellular constructs.
Conclusions:
- Plant-protein-enriched alginate scaffolds are suitable for 3D printing cultivated meat tissues.
- This approach avoids animal-derived materials and utilizes low-allergen pea protein.
- Findings show significant promise for advancing cultivated meat research and development.
