Imagine a world where food is created out of thin air, where carbon-guzzling bacteria transform waste carbon into protein-rich powder filled with nutrients. This may sound like something out of science fiction, but a new wave of biotech startups armed with innovative technology and ample funding are making it a reality.
In nature, certain soil-dwelling bacteria survive on a simple diet of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor extracted from the atmosphere. In the lab, these bacteria work their magic, feasting on waste carbon and multiplying rapidly in massive fermentation tanks. The resulting bacterial biomass is then dehydrated into a sustainable, nutrient-dense powder.
The ultimate goal of these companies is to revolutionize food production by creating a low-emission alternative to traditional farming practices. However, they face numerous challenges on their quest to make this vision a reality.
—Claire L. Evans
Stay tuned for the next print issue of MIT Technology Review, coming out on Wednesday, which explores the innovative world of food. Subscribe here to get your copy.
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