Analyzing the importance of attributes for Brazilian consumers to replace conventional beef with cultured meat

Cultured meat has been proposed as an alternative source of protein to overcome the environmental and ethical problems associated with conventional meat production. However, the lack of consumers’ acceptance could be a major barrier to the introduction of cultured meat on a large scale. Despite Brazil being one of the countries that consumes the most meat per capita, little is known about Brazilian consumers’ preferences for alternative meat. The objective of this study is to identify which attributes influence consumers to possibly replace conventional beef meat with cultured meat in Brazil. An online survey was conducted, and Best-worst scaling methodology was applied to a sample of 225 consumers. The sampling leaned towards educated and employed residents of the southeast region of Brazil, which might not fully represent the Brazilian population. Despite limitations in terms of the sampling demographic, overall, Brazilians appear to be willing to consume cultured meat: 80.9% of the sample would be willing to try it, 61.3% would be willing to eat it regularly, and 56.9% would be willing to eat cultured meat as a replacement for conventionally produced beef. Despite the focus of this study being on attributes of a hypothetical product that is not commercially available, which might pose difficulty to consumers to predict their future consumption behavior, results show that the most important attributes influencing consumers to possibly replace conventional beef meat by cultured meat in Brazil are anticipated risk of zoonotic diseases, anticipated healthiness and anticipated food safety conditions. Attributes related to benefits at a global societal level and intrinsic characteristics of cultured meat were less important.

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YAP Promotes Cell Proliferation and Stemness Maintenance of Porcine Muscle Stem Cells under High-Density Condition

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10113069 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 3069

Author(s):

Zheng Liu ◽

Ling Lin ◽

Haozhe Zhu ◽

Zhongyuan Wu ◽

Xi Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Large Scale ◽

High Density ◽

Meat Production ◽

Density Condition ◽

High Density Culture ◽

Differentiation Potential ◽

Muscle Stem Cells ◽

Cultured Meat

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) isolated ex vivo are essential original cells to produce cultured meat. Currently, one of the main obstacles for cultured meat production derives from the limited capacity of large-scale amplification of MuSCs, especially under high-density culture condition. Here, we show that at higher cell densities, proliferation and differentiation capacities of porcine MuSCs are impaired. We investigate the roles of Hippo-YAP signaling, which is important regulators in response to cell contact inhibition. Interestingly, abundant but not functional YAP proteins are accumulated in MuSCs seeded at high density. When treated with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the activator of YAP, porcine MuSCs exhibit increased proliferation and elevated differentiation potential compared with control cells. Moreover, constitutively active YAP with deactivated phosphorylation sites, but not intact YAP, promotes cell proliferation and stemness maintenance of MuSCs. Together, we reveal a potential molecular target that enables massive MuSCs expansion for large-scale cultured meat production under high-density condition.

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Identifying Consumer Groups and Their Characteristics Based on Their Willingness to Engage with Cultured Meat: A Comparison of Four European Countries

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods11020197 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 197

Author(s):

Anouk Boereboom ◽

Philippe Mongondry ◽

Luis K. de Aguiar ◽

Beatriz Urbano ◽

Zheng (Virgil) Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Cultural Differences ◽

European Countries ◽

Meat Production ◽

Food Technology ◽

Alternative Source ◽

Cultured Meat ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Recent Advancement ◽

Willingness To Engage

Cultured meat, as a product of recent advancement in food technology, might become a viable alternative source of protein to traditional meat. As such, cultured meat production is disruptive as it has the potential to change the demand for traditional meats. Moreover, it has been claimed it can be more sustainable regarding the environment and that it is, perhaps, a solution to animal welfare issues. This study aimed at investigating associations between the consumer groups and demographic and psychographic factors as well as identifying distinct consumer groups based on their current willingness to engage with cultured meat. Four European countries were studied: the Netherlands (NL), the United Kingdom (UK), France (FR) and Spain (ES). A sample of 1291 responses from all four countries was collected between February 2017 and March 2019. Cluster analysis was used, resulting in three groups in the NL and UK, and two groups in FR and ES. The results suggest that Dutch consumers are the most willing to engage with cultured meat. Food neophobia and food technology neophobia seem to distinguish the groups the clearest. Moreover, there is some evidence that food cultural differences among the four countries seem to be also influencing consumers’ decision.

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European Markets for Cultured Meat: A Comparison of Germany and France

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9091152 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 1152 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher Bryant ◽

Lea van Nek ◽

Nathalie C. M. Rolland

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Meat Consumption ◽

Meat Production ◽

Persuasive Message ◽

Production Methods ◽

Cultured Meat ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

European Markets ◽

Representative Samples

The negative impacts of meat consumption for animals, the environment, and human health are more pressing than ever. Although some evidence points to an ongoing reduction in meat consumption in Europe, consumers are overall unwilling to cut their meat consumption in a substantial way. The present study investigates dietary identities and perceptions of cultured meat in nationally representative samples from Germany (n = 1000) and France (n = 1000). Participants were recruited through an Ipsos panel to answer an online survey, which included questions about their current and intended consumption of conventional meat, as well as questions about their opinions of cultured meat. We find that, whilst rates of vegetarianism were relatively low in France, unrestricted meat-eaters were a minority in Germany, and concern for animal welfare was the most common reason given for meat reduction. Substantial markets for cultured meat exist in both countries, although German consumers are significantly more open to the concept than the French. Strikingly, cultured meat acceptance is significantly higher amongst agricultural and meat workers, indicating that those who are closest to existing meat production methods are most likely to prefer alternatives. We found some evidence that pro-cultured meat messages, which focus on antibiotic resistance and food safety, are significantly more persuasive than those that focus on animals or the environment. Furthermore, consumers project that they would be significantly more likely to consume cultured meat that does not contain genetically modified ingredients. Overall, we find substantially large markets for cultured meat in Germany and France, and identify some potential ways to further increase acceptance in these markets. We conclude by highlighting the most promising markets for cultured meat, and highlighting a lack of antibiotics as a potentially persuasive message about cultured meat.

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Large-scale cultured meat production: Trends, challenges and promising biomanufacturing technologies

Biomaterials ◽

10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121274 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 121274

Author(s):

Lu Chen ◽

Donovan Guttieres ◽

Andrea Koenigsberg ◽

Paul W. Barone ◽

Anthony J. Sinskey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Meat Production ◽

Cultured Meat

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Hydrodynamics and mass transfer in spinner flasks: implications for large scale cultured meat production

Biochemical Engineering Journal ◽

10.1016/j.bej.2020.107864 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107864

Author(s):

Junxuan Zhang ◽

Xueliang Li ◽

Hongfei Liu ◽

Jingwen Zhou ◽

Jian Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Transfer ◽

Large Scale ◽

Meat Production ◽

Cultured Meat

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Investigating awareness, fear and control associated with norovirus and other pathogens and pollutants using best–worst scaling

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90704-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kata Farkas ◽

Emma Green ◽

Dan Rigby ◽

Paul Cross ◽

Sean Tyrrel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Foodborne Pathogens ◽

Online Survey ◽

Risk Mitigation ◽

Terrorist Attack ◽

Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Best Worst Scaling ◽

Important Health ◽

Health Need ◽

Levels Of Control

AbstractPollutants found in the water and air environment represent an ever-growing threat to human health. Contact with some air-, water- and foodborne pathogens (e.g. norovirus) results in gastrointestinal diseases and outbreaks. For future risk mitigation, we aimed to measure people’s awareness of waterborne and foodborne norovirus relative to other environment-associated pollutants (e.g. pesticides, bioaerosols, antibiotic resistant bacteria) and well-known risks (e.g. diabetes, dementia, terrorist attack). We used an online survey, which included a best–worst scaling component to elicit personal levels of control and fear prompted by norovirus relative to 15 other risks. There was a negative correlation between levels of fear vs. control for all 16 measured risks. Perceived infection control levels were higher amongst women compared to men and correlated with age and the level of qualification in both groups. Participants who had sought advice regarding the symptoms caused by norovirus appeared to have more control over the risks. Norovirus is associated with high levels of fear, however, the levels of control over it is low compared to other foodborne illnesses, e.g. Salmonella. Addressing this deficit in the public’s understanding of how to control exposure to the pathogen in an important health need.

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Bovine Satellite Cells Isolated after 2 and 5 Days of Tissue Storage Maintain the Proliferative and Myogenic Capacity Needed for Cultured Meat Production

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22168376 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (16) ◽

pp. 8376

Author(s):

Stig Skrivergaard ◽

Martin Krøyer Rasmussen ◽

Margrethe Therkildsen ◽

Jette Feveile Young

Keyword(s):

Satellite Cells ◽

Myogenic Differentiation ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Meat Production ◽

Positive Trend ◽

Tissue Storage ◽

Myogenic Potential ◽

Cultured Meat ◽

Start Up ◽

Myogenic Satellite Cells

Cultured meat is an emerging alternative food technology which aims to deliver a more ethical, sustainable, and healthy muscle-tissue-derived food item compared to conventional meat. As start-up companies are rapidly forming and accelerating this technology, many aspects of this multi-faceted science have still not been investigated in academia. In this study, we investigated if bovine satellite cells with the ability to proliferate and undergo myogenic differentiation could be isolated after extended tissue storage, for the purpose of increasing the practicality for cultured meat production. Proliferation of bovine satellite cells isolated on the day of arrival or after 2 and 5 days of tissue storage were analyzed by metabolic and DNA-based assays, while their myogenic characteristics were investigated using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Extended tissue storage up to 5 days did not negatively affect proliferation nor the ability to undergo fusion and create myosin heavy chain-positive myotubes. The expression patterns of myogenic and muscle-specific genes were also not affected after tissue storage. In fact, the data indicated a positive trend in terms of myogenic potential after tissue storage, although it was non-significant. These results suggest that the timeframe of which viable myogenic satellite cells can be isolated and used for cultured meat production can be greatly extended by proper tissue storage.

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Stated Preferences for Plant-Based and Cultured Meat: A Choice Experiment Study of Spanish Consumers

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13158235 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 8235

Author(s):

Alfredo J. Escribano ◽

Maria Belen Peña ◽

Carlos Díaz-Caro ◽

Ahmed Elghannam ◽

Eva Crespo-Cebada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Choice Experiment ◽

Meat Products ◽

Meat Production ◽

Experiment Study ◽

Negative Effects ◽

High Quality ◽

Cultured Meat ◽

Production And Consumption ◽

Alternative Sources ◽

Negative Impacts

Meat production and consumption have been claimed to have negative impacts on the environment, and even on the consumer’s health. In this sense, alternative sources of protein, mainly meat substitutes and cultured meat, have emerged due to those perceived negative effects. Our paper carries out a choice experiment to analyze the preferences of 444 Spanish consumers and their willingness to pay for plant-based and cultured meats, as compared to conventional meat. Spain was considered of interest for this study due to its significant gastronomic culture, with high-quality meat products that make a great contribution to the economy, meaning that this could be a suitable and also challenging market in which to test alternative sources of protein. The findings show that consumers’ motivations and their interactions with these products are complex. Additionally, a cluster analysis allowed us to identify three types of consumers in terms of preference for these products: price-sensitive millennials, conscious/concerned consumers, and indifferent consumers. Only one group showed some level of acceptance of these alternative products meats.

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Well-Being of Healthcare Workers and the General Public during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam: An Online Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4737

Author(s):

Tuyen Dinh Hoang ◽

Robert Colebunders ◽

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen ◽

Trung Dinh Tran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Large Scale ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Health Sector ◽

Well Being ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

The Mean ◽

Restrictive Measures

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures implemented may considerably affect people’s lives. This study aimed to assess the well-being of Vietnamese people after COVID-19 lockdown measures were lifted and life gradually returned to normal. An online survey was organized from 21 to 25 April 2020 among Vietnamese residents aged 18 and over. The survey was launched by the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The WHO-5 Well-Being Index (scored 0–25) was used to score participants’ well-being. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of well-being. A total of 1922 responses were analyzed (mean age: 31 years; 30.5% male; 88.2% health professionals or students in the health sector). The mean well-being score was 17.35 ± 4.97. Determinants of a high well-being score (≥13) included older age, eating healthy food, practicing physical exercise, working from home, and adhering to the COVID-19 preventive measures. Female participants, persons worried about their relatives’ health, and smokers were more likely to have a low well-being score. In conclusion, after the lockdown measures were lifted, the Vietnamese have people continued to follow COVID-19 preventive measures, and most of them scored high on the well-being scale. Waiting to achieve large-scale COVID-19 vaccine coverage, promoting preventive COVID-19 measures remains important, together with strategies to guarantee the well-being of the Vietnamese people.

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Factors Influencing SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy in a Population-Based Sample in Italy

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9060633 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 633

Author(s):

Marco Del Riccio ◽

Sara Boccalini ◽

Lisa Rigon ◽

Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte ◽

Giuseppe Albora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Population Based ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Trust In Institutions ◽

General Adult Population ◽

High Level

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 represents an effective and safe tool to protect the population against the disease; however, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy could be a major barrier to achieving herd immunity. Despite the severity of the current pandemic, the population’s intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among a convenience sample of the general population resident in Italy and the factors associated with hesitancy and acceptance of the vaccine in the context of the current pandemic before the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines. An anonymous online survey was diffused among a general adult population living in Italy. Participants aged 18 or older and living in Italy were considered eligible. Incomplete questionnaires were excluded. Overall, 7605 valid questionnaires were collected. Most of the participants (81.9%) were inclined to get vaccinated; male sex (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12–1.71), a high level of trust in institutions (OR 3.93, 95% CI 2.04–7.83), and personal beliefs about high safety of COVID-19 vaccines (OR 56.33, 95% CI 31.57–105.87) were found to be among the significant predictors of COVID-19 acceptance. These data could help design larger studies to address the problem of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the current pandemic.

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