Technological Advances and the Challenges for Large-Scale Cultured Meat Production
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Cultured meat, produced through in vitro cultivation of animal cells, represents a promising solution to the environmental, ethical, and resource-intensive challenges of conventional livestock production. Significant technological advances have been achieved in seed cell acquisition, serum-free culture media development, bioreactor scale-up, 3D tissue formation, and sensory enhancement. Nevertheless, substantial hurdles persist in achieving cost-effective large-scale production, ensuring product safety and quality, establishing robust regulatory frameworks, and securing widespread consumer acceptance. This review examines recent progress throughout the cultured meat production chain, critically analyzes unresolved challenges, and outlines essential research priorities for realizing its industrial potential.
Authors: Yunting Xie, Shijie Ding, Jie Wang, Xiufeng Li, Renpeng Guo, Changbo Tang, Chong Wang, Guanghong Zhou, Chunbao Li
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7126189196