Review of the Current Research on Fetal Bovine Serum and the Development of Cultured Meat

The purpose of this review is to summarize studies that investigate blood and the main components of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in vertebrates, including major livestock, and review the current research on commercializing cultured meat. Detailed research on FBS is still lacking; however, some studies have shown that FBS consists of proteins, carbohydrates, growth factors, cytokines, fats, vitamins, minerals, hormones, non-protein nitrogen, and inorganic compounds. However, there are few studies on how the composition of FBS differs from blood or serum composition in adult animals, which is probably one of the main reasons for not successfully replacing FBS. Moreover, recent studies on the development of FBS replacers and serum-free media have shown that it is difficult to conclude whether FBS has been completely replaced or serum-free media have been developed successfully. Our review of the industrialization of cultured meat reveals that many basic studies on the development of cultured meat have been conducted, but it is assumed that the study to reduce or replace ingredients derived from fetuses such as FBS has not yet been actively developed. Therefore, developing inexpensive and edible media is necessary for the successful industrialization of cultured meat.

Automated summary

This article summarizes studies on blood and fetal bovine serum (FBS) in vertebrates, as well as reviews current research on the commercialization of cultured meat. Research on the detailed composition of FBS is lacking, and there are also few studies on the differences between FBS and adult animal blood or serum composition. Recent studies on FBS replacers and serum-free media have not yet determined whether complete replacement of FBS has been achieved. Therefore, the development of inexpensive and edible media is crucial for the successful industrialization of cultured meat.