On December 7, MeaTech 3D announced the successful printing of a 104-gram steak primarily composed of fat and artificial muscle cells.
MeaTech 3D stated that this is the largest artificial steak ever produced. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone towards large-scale production of bioprinted steaks.
104g 3D printed steak by MeaTech 3D. (Photo: Shlomi Arbiv).
The cells used to print the steak are produced through an exclusive advanced process. This process begins with bovine stem cells obtained from tissue samples, which are then encouraged to proliferate. Once a sufficient mass is reached, the stem cells are transformed into a bioprinting ink compatible with MeaTech’s 3D printer. The printer constructs the steak’s meat structure based on a digital design. The finished product is placed in an incubator to develop, where the stem cells differentiate into fat and muscle tissue to create the steak.
MeaTech aims to develop a product that serves as an alternative to conventional steak, with maximum components derived from cells. The artificial steak is composed of fat and live muscle cells, without any plant-derived proteins typically found in alternative products.
MeaTech will continue to enhance bioprinting and cultivation technologies to create superior artificial meat that mimics the characteristics of premium farm-raised beef steaks. They will focus on developing cell lines for cattle, pigs, and chickens. The company believes that artificial meat technology has the potential to improve meat production, simplify supply chains, and provide consumers with a wider variety of choices.
