Scientists in New Zealand are attempting to create lab-grown fruit from plant cells, without the parts that are usually thrown away like apple cores.
The team of scientists from New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research cites the reasons behind their pioneering research into lab-grown fruit: to solve food insecurity, create more sustainable agriculture and safeguard against the effects of climate change. From a wider perspective, scientists are looking at ways to feed the growing population with fewer areas to grow food.
The team’s research into lab-grown fruit technology could also help reduce food waste, a major source of methane emissions, as the fruits they hope to make from plant cells wouldn’t contain the parts that are normally discarded, such as the cores of apples or rinds of oranges.
A further benefit of producing cultured fruits and vegetables is the possibility of further research leading to new superfoods with the health benefits of many current fruits and vegetables combined.
The project, titled “The Plant and Food Research Programme,” focuses on a range of fruit, including apples, blueberries, peaches, nectarines, cherries and grapes. However, the scientists also make it clear that, while the project is promising, it is still in its early stages – the result of consumer-grade food is still far away.
