From photo- to metasynthesis - regenerative solutions from the bioreactor

From photosynthesis to metasynthesis, humans are learning to mimic and expand nature's systems. Photosynthesis, while not very energy efficient, is a sustainable process that has enabled and continues to sustain life on Earth. Metasynthesis, on the other hand, is an attempt by humans to achieve greater efficiency, scalability and control in the production of energy and resources, inspired by the fundamentals that nature has perfected over billions of years. The green revolution in agriculture and the domestication of livestock are now being followed by the silver revolution in bioreactors through the optimisation of microorganisms and enzyme systems. This will enable us to exploit other sources of nutrition, put an end to the overexploitation of agricultural production systems and thus regenerate soil and water.

For example, cells from the cocoa plant are supplied with the substances they receive from the mother plant in nature in a bioreactor. The tank thus becomes an incubator in which the cells can multiply. After three weeks, they can be harvested. In a cell culture system, 10 to 15 harvests per year are possible. The cultivation conditions can be controlled in terms of contaminants such as pesticide residues, heavy metals and pathogenic germs. By cultivating the host plants, processing the nutrient medium including the water and using renewable energy sources, a safe and sustainable product can be produced close to the place of processing and consumption. Depending on the specialisation (secondary plant substances, fat, fruit pulp) and cultivation (medium, mixture, temperature), the cells produce cocoa-typical ingredients. After drying or roasting, these raw materials can be processed into novel chocolate-like foods.

Züricher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften