BioMADE Funds Projects on Cell Cultured Chocolate and Precision Fermentation

Projects on cell cultured chocolate and precision fermentation are among 14 to receive funding from BioMADE, the Dept. of Defense-backed program meant to nurture critically needed bioindustrial projects.

The cell-cultured chocolate project is being done by the University of California at Davis and California Cultured, a company developing cultured cocoa and coffee. “Through novel bioreactors, improved vessel and media sterilization methods and in-line biomass sensors, this project will lower the production costs of high-quality chocolate products by using cacao plant cell culture,” according to the description.

“ ‘Resilient Domestic Feedstocks for the U.S. Precision Fermentation Industry’ … will improve domestic bioindustrial manufacturing outcomes and increase its competitiveness through enhanced life cycle assessments of feedstocks.” It will be managed by Checkerspot, a private company using precision fermentation to develop high-performance fats and oils that aren’t easily or sustainably sourced from nature.

Bioindustrial manufacturing uses biological systems to convert agricultural feedstocks – including corn, soy, and sugar beets -- and waste streams to high-value chemicals, materials, textiles, fuels and other products for consumer and defense needs. These projects represent a shared investment of over $21 million across 23 different member organizations that are located across the country.

“Global competition for bioindustrial manufacturing is at a critical tipping point, with many countries around the world investing heavily in biotechnology innovation and commercialization,” said Douglas Friedman, CEO of BioMADE – which is an acronym for Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem. “If the U.S. is to remain competitive, we must do the same.”