Scientists create food using electricity

Scientists have created basic single-cell protein meals that are made using carbon dioxide present in air and electricity from solar panels.

Finnish researchers created the food as a part of Food From Electricity project, hoping that it might help in aboard long-haul spaceflights or to lessen famine in poorer countries across the world, and also to feed livestock to help free up more farming land.

The method of creating the synthetic food was conducted in laboratory using a string of coffee cup-sized protein reactors. Water, carbon dioxide and microbes were added into a small bioreactor. The elements were put forward for electrolysis which breaks down complex substances via electricity. In result, a powder was produced whose texture could be altered by changing microbes used in production.

Through this method, researchers collected little quantity of solid material that had a nutrition profile similar to that of usual food. Within two weeks, a spoonful of single-celled protein was created though only solar energy and microbe supplements, reported Daily Mail.

The lead researcher Juha-Pekka Pitkänen said, “In practice, all the raw materials are available from the air. In the future, the technology can be transported to, for instance, deserts and other areas facing famine. One possible alternative is a home reactor, a type of domestic appliance that the consumer can use to produce the needed protein.”

This progression of creating food from electricity can almost be 10 times as energy-efficient as the usual photosynthesis method. However, in order to make it more competitive, the production method would have to be more efficient.

According to Futurism, Pitkänen informed, “We are currently focusing on developing the technology: reactor concepts, technology, improving efficiency, and controlling the process.”

The researchers further plan to begin pilot production. In pilot phase, food can be produced in amount that is adequate for development and testing of animal feed and food products because currently, only one gram of protein is being produced. However, according to scientists’ prediction, it can take almost a decade for accomplishing this task.

Claiming the protein powder as nutritious, Dr Pitkänen explained, “In the long term, protein created with electricity is meant to be used in cooking and products as it is. The mixture is very nutritious, with more than 50 per cent protein and 25 per cent carbohydrates. The rest is fats and nucleic acids. The consistency of the final product can be modified by changing the organisms used in the production.”