Embrapa Seeks to Develop Brazil’s First Cultivated Chicken Breast

Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, has announced the development of a chicken breast fillet that will be ready for nutritional analysis by the end of 2023.

Given the environmental sustainability and animal welfare concerns across the globe, Embrapa is including cultivated meat as part of its research agenda. Chicken was selected as a sustainable solution for its production given its versatility.

The goal of the research study according to the project’s lead researcher, Vivian Feddern, is to develop a “methodology for obtaining optimized culture conditions of bacteria” and the development of a marketable chicken breast product. These developments are hoped to be achieved in 2023.

The research study also seeks to create a biobank of chicken cells. A biobank will allow the cell-based industry to work with stable, reproducible, and consistent cell lines while developing cultured meat products, says Embrapa.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) is working to establish the National Plan of Alternative Proteins (PNPA), which will outline plant-based, fermentation, and cellular agriculture’s production methods and regulations. Currently however, there is no legislation surrounding cultivated meat in Brazil.

Feddern concluded that “With this proposal of innovative food, Brazil can contribute to the production of meat, and Embrapa can offer a biobank, supporting existing companies or startups that want to launch products in the market.”

‍About Embrapa

‍The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) was established by the country’s federal government in 1973 to develop the technological foundation for a genuinely tropical model of agriculture and animal farming. The initiative has been tasked with providing Brazil with food security and a leading position in the international market for food, fibre, and energy. Embrapa today is one of the largest agricultural research corporations of the world, with half a century of contributions focused on innovation, efficiency, sustainability and social inclusion.