The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), situated in Kochi, has forged a pioneering partnership with Neat Meatt Biotech, a burgeoning start-up dedicated to cultivated meat. This collaborative effort marks the inception of lab-grown fish meat research within India, a realm already explored by nations such as Israel, the US, Singapore, and Korea, albeit without commercial fruition.
Diving into the realm of alternative proteins, the agreement signals a significant stride amidst burgeoning global investments, with approximately $3.1 billion channeled into the smart proteins sector as of 2020. Forecasts suggest an exponential growth trajectory, with the niche market projected to burgeon to $290 billion by 2035. This burgeoning interest aligns with estimations indicating that lab-grown or alternative proteins could command a substantial portion of the global meat market, ranging from 4 to 60 percent by 2040.
The primary thrust of the CMFRI-Neat Meatt collaboration is the development of cell-based meat derived from high-value marine species like kingfish, pomfret, and seer fish. This strategic initiative aims to satiate the escalating demand for seafood while mitigating the strain on wild resources, elucidated an official statement released by CMFRI.
Elucidating the methodology, Kajal Chakraborty, head and principal scientist at CMFRI’s marine biotechnology division, described the process of cultivating fish meat in labs as devoid of any harm to actual fish, hence coined as ‘ahimsa fish meat’. The technique involves isolating specific cells from fish and nurturing them in a laboratory environment using animal component-free media. The resulting product, while mimicking the original flavor, texture, and nutritional attributes of fish, embodies a cruelty-free ethos.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, CMFRI will spearhead the research on early cell line development of high-value marine species, encompassing the isolation and cultivation of fish cells for R&D purposes. Concurrently, Neat Meatt Biotech, leveraging its expertise in cell culture technology, will focus on optimizing cell growth media, scaffold development, and scaling up production through bioreactors.
A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI, underscored the project’s significance in propelling India into the forefront of cultured marine fish meat production. He emphasized the environmental and food security benefits inherent in lab-grown fish, envisioning a sustainable and secure future for seafood production in India.
Expressing optimism, Sandeep Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Neat Meatt Biotech, projected the establishment of the project’s proof of concept within a mere couple of months, underscoring the imminent strides toward a transformative paradigm in seafood production.
