Fun fact: three-quarters of all food for the world's population comes from only 12 plant species and 5 animal species. To diversify our diet without harming the environment, scientists will come up with new types of food. We have already heard about the production of artificial meat. Finnish company Solar Foods promises to make a new food revolution within two years. It will launch a product on the market that consists, one might say, of only three ingredients: electricity, water and air. And they are very confident in their success.
The company estimates its development at 4 euros (287 rubles) per kilogram. Looks and tastes like wheat flour. Solar Foods is set to obtain a license from the European Union Commission this year. After that, commercial production will begin. Market launch is scheduled for 2021. The company is confident that it will be able to sell its products for at least 50 million. In addition, she has already signed an agreement with the European Space Agency and will supply him with special high-protein food. It is planned to be used for space missions to Mars.
A powder called Solein can be used as an ingredient in food. Its production process is very similar to the brewing process. Special microbes are placed in a liquid and feed on carbon dioxide and hydrogen, which are formed in the liquid under the influence of electricity (electrolysis reaction). Once the microbes have eaten, they produce protein. This protein is then dried and ground into powder.
Dr. Pasi Vainikka, chief executive of a tech startup, says the company has created a carbon-neutral way of producing an all-natural protein source without harming land and water. In other words, their production does not pollute the environment.
You can read about what can lead to emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, for example, in this article.
A new kind of food
Experts have already called this development a breakthrough in millennial food production. Pasi Vainikka himself does not believe that his product will be able to squeeze out farm production for at least the next 20 years. But he is quite capable of becoming a "new source of harvest."
The company says the powder can be converted into fibers that taste like meat or bread if desired.
Nikolay Khizhnyak
