Page 34 - FoodFocusThailand No.199 October 2022

SPECIAL FOCUS

Furthermore, plant protein is beneficial to our ecosystem
and more sustainable than pasturing because growing plants
requires less space, resources, and time than pasturing and
emits less greenhouse gas. As plant-based technology is still
expanding, it also means that it is creating job opportunities
in many countries, too.
This protein substitute is primarily derived from peas, seeds,
and tubers, as well as plant oil and dietary fiber. However,
aside from convincing consumers to embrace these alternative
protein sources, allergic reactions to wheat or nuts such as
almonds and peanuts appear to be a more complicated issue.
Cell-cultured Protein Lab-grown meat is the most
recent alternative protein that has stirred up the market's
interest, and it does combine a wealth of specific knowledge
to create a future protein source for humans. According to the
study, the most common types of meat cultivated in laboratories
are beef (25%), chicken (22%), fish (19%), and pork (19%),
and the technology has been conceived and developed for
nearly a decade (since 2013). As the market share rose,
Singapore became the first country to issue regulations and
certify lab-grown meat for consumption. However, the idea of
this novel meat could raise a number of questions, such as:
“What measures or laws could be used to regulate lab-grown
meat?” or “Is this technology an unethical method? and the
most important one is, “Should we call the product animal meat
resources and emits a great deal of greenhouse gas or else?”
emissions. Therefore, our future proteins should be natural, However, the processing of the lab-grown meat still requires
high in quality and nutrition, free of contaminants, and an original cell from an animal for a start. Then, scientists
environmentally and economically sustainable. extract only stem cells and adipose tissue cells from the source,
Insect protein meets all the criteria above because it and cultivate them in fetal bovine serum to increase cell
requires less space, less labor, and saves resources. You populations and gently arrange them using the edible scaffold
can also manage the risk of contamination during the to mimic a real muscle structure. However, this is just a basic
process and help improve the community and the procedure. Many more specific steps, as well as additional
ecosystem. Furthermore, eating insects and bugs has been equipment, are still required.
a long-standing tradition in some countries, including These are the key points from the exclusive talk on
Thailand, and this should be consistent with the recent global alternative proteins hosted by Food Focus Thailand. We
trend for new sources of proteins. With all of these hope it provides a more comprehensive view of alternative
advantages, insect-based protein may be one of the best proteins and offers guidance for those in the meat industry
options for daily consumption. Changing the appearance looking to improve their business and manufacturing
of the insect by drying and grinding it into a powder form standards.
may also increase consumer acceptance and make it easier
to consume as an additional food ingredient. Overall, insect
protein is now popular in international markets such as the More Information Service Info C001
United States, Canada, and the European Union, while the
production trend of alternative proteins from insects in
Thailand is also growing year by year.
Plant-based Protein Because of its popularity,
"plant-based protein" is widely recognized. This modified
protein is made from plants and vegetables that we are
familiar with and goes through all the necessary processes
to make it look and taste like real meat, making it more
appealing to everyone, particularly those following
vegetarian and vegan diets.

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