As the demand for sustainable food continues to increase, scientists are exploring alternatives to traditional animal proteins (which currently amount for nearly 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions). Mycoprotein, developed from fungi, has come to be a promising solution due to its meat-like texture and smaller environmental impact. One of the leading sources, Fusarium venenatum, is already approved for consumption in several countries. However, its thick cell walls make it difficult to digest in addition to it being costly to produce.
To address these challenges, researchers at Jiangnan University in China used CRISPR gene-editing technology to improve both the nutritional value and efficiency of Fusarium venenatum. By taking away two specific genes related to chitin production and metabolism, they created a new strain titled FCPD. The thinner cell wall significantly improved digestibility, while metabolic changes allowed the fungus to produce protein much more efficiently. As a result, the modified strain used 44% less sugar and produced the same amount of protein 88% faster than the original version. There was also no foreign DNA introduced.
Past improving efficiency, the environmental benefits of FCPD were dramatic. A full life-cycle analysis across six countries with different energy systems showed that FCPD consistently produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional mycoprotein, with reductions of about 60%. In comparison to animal protein, the results were even more striking: FCPD needed 70% less land and caused 78% less freshwater pollution than chicken production in China. This breakthrough highlights how gene-edited foods could play a major role in feeding an increasing global population while crucially reducing strain on the planet.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121082049.htm
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/fusarium-venenatum
This is such a beneficial contribution to science, especially lowering the amount of greenhouse gases in our environment. This will significantly help make our planet a little cooler if we can continue to develop this technology.
ReplyDeleteThis research is really cool because it demonstrates how CRISPR can make mycoprotein both easier to digest and produce. It is also a step toward a more substainable protein source.
ReplyDelete