Microcarriers and Scaffolds in Cultivated Meat Production

The role of scaffolds in cultivated products is to provide structural support for cells as is observed in the extracellular matrix in living organs. The application of scaffolds can be at different stages of the bioprocess production of cultivated meat and can play an important role to support cell growth and differentiation, provide tissue functionality, and contribute to flavor and sensory experience. The selection of the scaffold type and process has an impact on the final product that is formulated (unstructured or structured product). Different technologies such as microcarriers, layer scaffolds, and bioprinting are being developed in order to contribute to cultivated meat processes and products. Additionally, different material types can be employed with natural or synthetic origin which contribute to attributes, advantages, and challenges for cellular agriculture products. The field of scaffold development is prominent with new materials and processes being developed with multiple requirements that can be tuned into each bioprocess. Even though the requirements can be a challenge, they are definitely potential innovative ingredients that can add value to the final product. Therefore, it is important to understand the requirements and possibilities of this field in order to develop cultivated meat products.