Science Shorts: 'Cell-based food' naming, Meiji lactic acid bacteria research, e-commerce for food trade and more feature in our round-up

Name of the game: Can there be a consensus on how to name meat products grown in a lab?​

Cell-based meat? Cultivated meat? Differing views have been put forward by the FAO, WHO and industry players in APAC in defining the product, even though everyone seems to acknowledge that a common language is key for consumer education.

The FAO and WHO preferred to use “cell-based food” term in its recent report into the category.

It claimed that a literature review conducted elicited that the “cell-based food” term was “less confusing, conveniently overarching and generally well-accepted by consumers”, ​and accurately reflects the science of the product.

Long-term intake of OLL2716 lactic acid bacteria could resolve chronic post-meal stomach pain – Meiji​

The lactic acid bacterium OLL2716 strain has been shown to be effective not only in relieving stomach discomfort, but also in reducing mental stress caused by these symptoms, say Meiji researchers.

Meiji presented findings from two of its studies at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry held from March 14 to 17.

Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2716 ​is a type of lactic acid bacteria that belongs to the Lactobacillus genus. The strain’s ability to attach to gastric epithelial cells and its resistance to acid, among other characteristics, was first discovered by Meiji in 1999.

Food trade globalisation: E-commerce and digitalisation crucial for brands to attain recognition – Alibaba, Philippines DTI​

Rising consumer concentration on social media has amplified the need for large and small brands alike to establish a digital presence and solidify e-commerce networks, especially in strongly connected markets such as China, South East Asia and the Middle East.

This was the conclusion of an expert panel discussing international F&B trade in the post-pandemic era held in Dubai, which comprised Alibaba Head of Global Strategic Partnerships Tim Song, Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda, and Riceland Foods Vice President Mark Holt.

Although the internet has allowed just about any food company to leave a footprint online, a successful strategy requires investment in business digitalisation, which food industries in markets such as the Philippines have felt keenly over the past few years, according to Penaranda.

Protein for walking speed: Intake with resistance training benefit elderly with knee osteoarthritis, sarcopenia​

Taking protein supplementation with resistance exercise training has shown to shorten the time needed to acquire normal speed walking speed in elderly suffering from knee osteoarthritis and sarcopenia, according to findings from a 12-week study.

Writing in Nutrients, ​a group of researchers from Taipei Medical University and New York University Langone Medical Center found that this method could accelerate normal walk speed recovery by about three months as compared to undergoing resistance training alone.

‘Joining forces’: China Agri-Food Biomanufacturing Alliance targets capacity-building and accelerating speed to market​

The new China Agri-Food Biomanufacturing Alliance says that bridging the gap between early-stage innovators and agri-food giants is key to driving industry growth.

Established by investment and consulting firm ID Capital China, China Agri-Food Biomanufacturing Alliance (AFBA) is an industry association that aims to bring together emerging biotech and established leaders in the food and agriculture space in China.

Speaking to FoodNavigator-Asia​, ID Capital China’s managing director, Steven Zhang, identified the “China advantage​” that led to setting up the industry-led alliance within the country: 1) Its manufacturing expertise, especially in fermentation capacity, which translates into cost savings; 2) largest consumer economy, particularly with the younger generation having different consumption habits from their older counterparts; and 3) burgeoning talent pool of scientists and researchers.