Can cell cultivation from plants potentially lead to the development of future antioxidants and antibacterial agents?
In the world of food and personal care ingredients, Israeli startup Novella is making waves with its innovative approach to plant cell culture technology. This cutting-edge method involves cultivating plant cells in bioreactors to produce sustainable and disease-free materials, offering a promising alternative to traditional agricultural practices.
Novella has recently secured strategic partnerships that are set to propel its growth. One such partnership is with Metaphor Foods, the innovation arm of global ingredients and private label food giant Hela APAC. The agreement, valued at $10 million over seven years based on meat industry projections alone, aims to secure ingredient availability, establish manufacturing readiness, and ensure consistent quality at scale.
The initial focus of this partnership is on meat and poultry preservation, but it has potential across dozens of revenue-generating categories, including seafood, dairy, baked goods, alternative protein products, and pet food. Novella's products are planned to be launched first in the US under the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe process), followed by Australia and APAC markets, and Europe will follow due to its longer regulatory process. Labelling varies by region.
Novella's products are based on core compound groups - alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenols - delivered in soluble powder formats such as sachets, capsules, and other powder-based applications. The company is using commercially available stainless-steel bioreactors with proven reliability and scalability, and works with contract manufacturers based in Italy for global production flexibility without the need for in-house facilities.
Investor interest in plant cell culture technologies is strong, though at times there may be a tendency to focus on commodity product categories where the fit between technology and commercial value is less clear. Novella represents the kind of company that has found the right balance between advanced technological capabilities and commercial value proposition.
The potential of plant cell culture technology lies in its ability to address several challenges facing agricultural supply chains. By reducing dependence on climatic conditions, this method ensures a more stable supply of high-value ingredients. It also requires less water compared to traditional farming, making it more sustainable in water-scarce regions. Scalability and efficiency are also improved, as bioreactors can be scaled up more easily than traditional farming methods, allowing for increased production volumes and efficiency. Cultivating plants in controlled environments minimizes the risk of disease and pests, leading to healthier and more consistent products.
As the technology matures, it is expected to expand into various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, where there is a growing demand for consistent and reliable plant-derived ingredients. Combining plant cell culture with advanced metabolic engineering techniques can further enhance the production of desirable compounds, such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
Recent innovations in plant cell culture technology include the development of 3D bioreactor technology by companies like Pluri, which enables the efficient cultivation of plant cells for various applications, from agriculture to healthcare. Pluri's patent for 3D bioreactor technology marks a significant milestone in this field, indicating a shift towards more efficient and scalable production methods.
Biotech startups like Food Brewer AG are also securing investments to expand their plant cell culture platforms, aiming to produce alternatives to cocoa, coffee, and other key commodities. These advancements suggest that the future of food and personal care ingredients production is poised to be revolutionised by plant cell culture technology.
Multiple trials with meat products have yielded impressive results, such as replacing natural antioxidants, reducing overall cost, and extending shelf life by 30%. As Novella continues to make strides in this field, it is clear that the company is set to play a significant role in shaping the future of sustainable and efficient ingredient production.
References: 1. Novella's Strategic Partnership with Metaphor Foods. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.novellabio.co/news/2023/2/novella-partners-with-metaphor-foods 2. Plant Cell Culture Technology: The Future of Sustainable Ingredient Production. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.novellabio.co/blog/plant-cell-culture-technology-the-future-of-sustainable-ingredient-production 3. The Rise of Plant Cell Culture Technology: Sustainable and Efficient Production Methods. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.novellabio.co/blog/the-rise-of-plant-cell-culture-technology-sustainable-and-efficient-production-methods
- In the realm of science and technology, Novella's advancements in plant cell culture technology are creating a stir, offering potential solutions for health-and-wellness and environmental-science challenges.
- Novella's strategic partnership with Metaphor Foods, a subsidiary of Hela APAC, is anticipated to propel both businesses forward in the food-and-drink and business sectors, particularly in the areas of food preservation and alternative protein products.
- As Novella's products, based on alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenols, are launched in the US, Australia, APAC, and Europe, they are expected to influence the lifestyle and education-and-self-development sectors by providing sustainable and disease-free ingredients.
- In the environmental-science and finance realms, Novella's plant cell culture technology is posed to revolutionize food and personal care ingredients production, offering water efficiency, improved scalability, and reduced dependence on climatic conditions.
- The adoption and expansion of plant cell culture technology, as demonstrated by companies like Pluri and Food Brewer AG, promise a shift in the agricultural landscape, leading to more sustainable and efficient therapies-and-treatments and business opportunities in the future.
