Whole-cut meat alternatives
Production of fungal and mycelial biomass for whole-cut meat alternatives. The reference technology is airlift: gentle mixing, homogeneous oxygenation and scale-up without mechanical agitation.
The application
Fungi-based whole-cut meat alternatives aim to reproduce the structure, fibre and texture of animal muscle. This requires growing mycelial biomass in homogeneous cultures, with controlled morphology and minimal mechanical stress.
Compared with mechanically stirred vessels, this process benefits from an ultra-low-shear environment that preserves the filamentous mycelium structures and ensures uniform growth throughout the volume.
Technology involved — airlift
The reference technology for this application is the airlift bioreactor: mixing is generated by gas flow instead of an impeller, eliminating mechanical shear and reducing energy consumption.
- Airlift bioreactor. Gas-driven fluid circulation (riser/downcomer) with no rotating mechanical parts.
- Minimal shear stress. Preserves the filamentous structures and mycelium morphology, key to the final texture.
- Homogeneous oxygenation. Uniform distribution of oxygen and nutrients across the whole culture volume.
- Efficient scale-up. Simple geometry, low energy use and easy cleaning, from pilot to industrial scale.
From research to production, one platform
The same parameters and Bioflex™ recipes carry you from bench to industrial scale, reducing transfer risk between stages.
Biobook Compact
Single-vessel benchtop screening and early development.
See system →Biobook Twin
Parallel studies and process optimisation on two vessels.
See system →Biosip
Transfer to 316L SIP/CIP stainless steel at pilot scale.
See system →Bioferm
Industrial GMP production with DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ documentation.
See system →Scaling up mycelial biomass in airlift
Process technology
Culture environment
Scale-up path
This space will describe how a food-tech client developed and scaled mycelial biomass in an airlift bioreactor: process parameters, resulting morphology and final product characteristics.
Placeholder text — we will add productivity data, biomass yield and a technical/sensory assessment once the case study is approved.
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