Novel cell spheroid culture method using Medaka dried fish powder.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Food Science

Background:

• Traditional microcarriers like collagen and plastics have limitations in cost-effectiveness and edibility for cultured-cell-based food production.
• Fish scale-derived collagen has a low denaturation temperature, limiting its use with mammalian cells without cross-linking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective and edible microcarrier for cell spheroid culture.
• To evaluate the efficacy of dried fish powder (DFP) as a microcarrier for various cell types.

Main Methods:

• Medaka fish were dried, ground into powder, and treated with ethanol to create dried fish powder (DFP).
• DFP was used as a microcarrier in spheroid cultures with various cell types.
• Western blot analysis was performed to assess protein expression in cultured cells.

Main Results:

• DFP effectively supported the adhesion and proliferation of human epidermal cells, human malignant melanoma cells, mouse fibroblasts, mouse endothelial cells, and fish fibroblasts.
• Western blot confirmed the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase-related proteins in cells cultured with DFP.

Conclusions:

• Dried fish powder (DFP) is a cost-effective, edible, and high-performing microcarrier.
• DFP shows potential as a revolutionary material for biological research and cultured-cell-based food production.