Feeding cells may sound simple, but in cultivated meat it is one of the biggest barriers to scale. Most growth media today are made with pharmaceutical grade ingredients that work well in a lab
but are too expensive and energy intensive for food production. Finding food-safe, affordable alternatives is becoming essential as the world searches for new ways to produce protein without adding pressure to land, water and climate systems.
A Food-Grade Medium Designed to Keep Cells Growing
In its recent patent for an edible culture medium (WO2025198277A1), Simple Planet describes a formulation that replaces traditional non-edible components with edible ones that are already safe for human consumption. The medium blends essential amino acids, vitamins and mineral salts, along with common carbon sources like glucose or sucrose that act as fuel. In practice this looks less like a pharmaceutical recipe and more like a nutrient rich broth designed for cell expansion that does not need to be removed or purified. This composition helps cells divide more effectively and slows signs of cellular aging. The team reports that adipose stem cells maintain their proliferation rate across multiple passages when grown in this edible mix, suggesting that food grade components can match the performance of conventional media while reducing cost and environmental burden.
A Step Toward Scalable and Affordable Cell-Based Foods
Simple Planet has been working to make cultivated ingredients more practical for commercial use. The company focuses on edible materials that simplify both regulation and manufacturing. This patent fits neatly into that strategy. By pushing culture media closer to food formulations, the company aims to lower production costs and streamline the path from bioreactor to plate. The approach also opens the door for using the medium itself as part of the final food product, reducing waste and making the entire process more integrated.
Acknowledging the Team Behind the Work
Congratulations to the inventors — Dominic (Ildoo) Jeong, Han Dong Oh, Yoo Ki Hyun, Kim Kwan Hyun, Kim Tae Ho, Lim Jee Yoon, Park Ji Hye and Hong Se Young — for their contribution to the field.
Lab Grown Technologies highlights meaningful innovations shaping the future of cellular agriculture and tissue engineering. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/lab-grown-technologies/
This post is based on publicly available information. Lab Grown Technologies is not affiliated with the inventors or organizations mentioned.
About the Author — Nidhi Mote, PhD
This article is authored by biomedical scientist Nidhi Mote, PhD, whose work spans bioengineering, mechanobiology, and cell biology. She completed her PhD at the Max Planck Institute and is excited to connect with others in cellular agriculture, synthetic biology, tissue engineering, and advanced in vitro systems.