Microalgal culture in animal cell waste medium for sustainable ‘cultured food’ production

‘Cultured food’ has tremendous potential as a sustainable meat alternative. Increased cultured food production is increasing the amount of waste medium from cell culture. Nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing compounds in waste medium can cause eutrophication of water bodies. Currently, microalgae are used in energy production, environmental protection, agriculture and pharmaceutical and health food industries. Here, we used the microalgae, Chlorococcum littorale and Chlorella vulgaris and the waste medium of C2C12 cells for a case study. We found that 80% and 26% of ammonia and 16% and 15% of phosphorus in the waste medium were consumed by C. littorale and C. vulgaris, respectively. In addition, C. littorale and C. vulgaris proliferated 3.2 folds and 1.6 folds, respectively, after seven days in the waste medium that was enhanced by adjusting medium salt concentration. This report demonstrates the potential of sustainability for solving the issue of waste medium production during the production of cultured food.