A natural protein that could change the global food production landscape in the near future.
A Double-Edged Sword
Our planet is facing a dual challenge of accelerating climate change and a growing population.
Solein is a nutritional powder with a nutritional profile similar to dried meat (Photo: IE).
Meanwhile, the agriculture and livestock sectors are like a “double-edged sword”, struggling to ensure food security while also contributing to climate change.
Solar Foods, a startup based in Finland, believes they have found a new solution to both issues by successfully developing a natural protein.
This food product is called Solein. It is, in fact, a type of nutritional powder that has a composition similar to dried meat.
Solein contains all the essential amino acids that the human body requires, along with fiber and a variety of essential vitamins.
The biggest advantage of Solein is that it uses only a fraction of the energy costs of traditional agriculture or livestock farming. In other words, this food has a relatively small “production footprint” compared to other protein sources.
Theoretically, Solein could provide an unlimited food source using only electricity and air.
The Science Behind This Breakthrough Food
Industrial livestock farming is one of the largest contributors to climate change (Photo: USDA).
Solar Foods’ groundbreaking approach involves cultivating microorganisms in fermentation tanks. These microorganisms are then filtered out and dried into a fine powder, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture.
Dr. Pasi Vainikka, co-founder and CEO of Solar Foods, explains: “These hydrogen-oxidizing microorganisms use dissolved hydrogen in the aquatic environment.”
Therefore, we mix various gases, including CO2 and hydrogen, as energy sources. This process can reduce carbon dioxide emissions, similar to the photosynthesis process in plants.
As these microorganisms “consume” dissolved carbon dioxide, they reproduce exponentially. After fermentation, the biomass is filtered out and dried into a protein-rich powder containing fiber, fat, and vitamins.
This whole food can be used as an ingredient in any dish.
According to Solar Foods, Solein has a yellow color, and its flavor can be adjusted to resemble anything.
“Our approach allows the cultivation of organisms based on non-agricultural products or sugars. This separates the production process from the environmental impacts of agriculture,” Vainikka explains.
Climate change not only causes extreme weather events like hail, droughts, and floods but also significantly impacts agriculture, leading to total crop failures.
Looking ahead, the trends influenced by climate change are expected to become even faster and more complex. Therefore, the transition to high-tech agriculture and smart farming in response to climate change is an inevitable trend.
