Precision Fermentation Your Next Glass of Milk Could Soon be Made from Microbes

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Yes, you read that right. Microbes are now being genetically engineered to produce animal-free proteins or fats that can be used to create a wide range of food products such as milk, cheese, ice-cream, yogurt, chocolates and even egg proteins. This innovative and sustainable process is currently being explored by the food industry as it helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions significantly as compared to the more traditional method in which cattle and hens are domesticated to obtain milk and eggs respectively.

Precision fermentation is not new, it has been used to make natural flavors and most of the vitamin supplements that we consume. So, what’s all the hype around this term now? Well, here’s the thing, precision fermentation is now being explored to create animal-free fats or proteins which can then go on to produce numerous food items such as cheese, ice-cream, yogurt, chocolates and even egg proteins. This is a more sustainable alternative to develop food items as compared to the more traditional method in which cattle are used to create dairy products as this process significantly reduces water and land requirements as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

Precision fermentation utilizes micro-organisms that are genetically engineered and then cultivated in fermentation tanks to produce animal-free fats or proteins. Another advantage of these precision fermented products is that it does not have lactose, cholesterol, and growth hormones unlike their traditional counterparts.