Lisbon laboratory transforms deceased bacteria into canine goodies, considering human edibles for future endeavors.
In the heart of Lisbon, Portugal, a revolutionary food production process is underway. Once a space used for producing pasta and cookies for the military, it now houses MicroHarvest's pilot plant, a startup that transforms agricultural waste into vegan protein powder using microbes.
MicroHarvest's Innovative Approach
Katelijne Bekers, co-founder of MicroHarvest, is at the forefront of this groundbreaking innovation. The startup's microbial protein powder, already being used in dog treats, could soon become a staple in human diets. MicroHarvest's process involves multiplying microbes in vats of bacteria, killing them, and drying the resulting protein-rich powder. This method requires less land, water, and time compared to traditional plant or animal-based proteins, making it a more efficient and sustainable option.
Regulatory Approval and Expansion Plans
MicroHarvest has submitted a full dossier to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) seeking regulatory approval for human consumption of its fermented protein. If approved, MicroHarvest plans to scale its operations significantly. The startup is seeking Series B funding to open a new plant in 2027, with a planned capacity of 15,000 tonnes of product per year - 40 times its current output.
The Future of Microbial Proteins
The future of MicroHarvest's microbial proteins remains uncertain, with the next few years revealing if they will become mainstream meals or a fleeting fad. However, the potential benefits are significant. Replacing a portion of global beef consumption with microbial proteins could cut annual deforestation in half by 2050.
The pet and aquaculture industries, which are growing rapidly but face a supply shortage of feed, could also benefit from microbial proteins. With record private investment and fresh EU funding supporting the growth of fermentation-based proteins, it seems that the future is bright for companies like MicroHarvest.
The Role of Regulation and Investment
Regulatory frameworks, such as those proposed by the EU Green Deal, will influence the speed of market adoption for microbial proteins. Companies must navigate these frameworks while ensuring product safety and efficacy. The EU has unveiled a new €350mn funding strategy to accelerate the scale-up of fermentation technology as Europe seeks to reduce its meat consumption.
The Advantages of Doing Business in Portugal
Luísa Cruz, a co-founder of MicroHarvest, emphasizes the benefits of doing business in Portugal due to its strong biotechnology sector and educational institutions. This supportive environment, combined with the potential benefits of microbial proteins, makes Portugal an ideal location for MicroHarvest's innovative approach to food production.
The Growing Acceptance of Alternative Proteins
While consumer skepticism remains a barrier, the unique nutritional profiles and environmental benefits of microbial proteins are helping to increase acceptance. This is particularly evident in Singapore, where lawmakers have been more welcoming to alt-proteins than their counterparts in Europe. MicroHarvest plans to capitalize on this growing acceptance by scaling through the pet market, having launched a vegan dog treat made with microbial protein in partnership with VegDog.
In summary, MicroHarvest's microbial protein production offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional animal-based proteins. With continued innovation, investment, and collaboration, it could play a significant role in addressing future food demands sustainably.
- Katelijne Bekers, co-founder of MicroHarvest, is pioneering a groundbreaking innovation in environmental-science, transforming agricultural waste into vegan protein powder using microbes.
- The use of MicroHarvest's fermented protein powder, currently in dog treats, could extend to human diets if regulatory approval for human consumption is granted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
- If approved, MicroHarvest plans to scale its operations considerably, aiming to reduce deforestation and address the feed supply shortage in the pet and aquaculture industries by producing 15,000 tonnes of product per year.
- The future of microbial proteins is subject to uncertainty, but the potential benefits are significant, including a potential reduction in annual deforestation by half by 2050 if global beef consumption is partially replaced with microbial proteins.
- Portugal, with its strong biotechnology sector and educational institutions, provides an ideal environment for companies like MicroHarvest, contributing to the growing acceptance of alternative proteins in the food-and-drink industry.
