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Scalable production of muscle and adipose cell-laden microtissues using edible macroporous microcarriers for 3D printing of cultured fish fillets

Author

Listed:
  • Xuan Zhou

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Hongwei Zheng

    (Ocean University of China
    Qingdao Institute of Marine Bioresources for Nutrition & Health Innovation)

  • Yanchi Wu

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Haowen Yin

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Xiangzhao Mao

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Ningyang Li

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Huarong Guo

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Yaoguang Chang

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Xiaoming Jiang

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Qinghui Ai

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Changhu Xue

    (Ocean University of China
    Qingdao Institute of Marine Bioresources for Nutrition & Health Innovation
    Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology)

Abstract

Cellular agriculture is a novel platform for addressing the issues of protein scarcity, environmental pressures, and food safety. However, expanding seed cells at a large scale remains a prerequisite for achieving industrial cultured meat production. We here propose the production of large-pore-sized edible porous microcarriers (EPMs) by using NaCl to precisely control ice crystal growth during cryogenic crosslinking. Muscle satellite cells (SCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) from large yellow croakers exhibit remarkable adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on gelatin-based EPMs. Following consecutive expansion, SCs and ASCs densities reach 6.25 × 105 and 5.77 × 105 cells/mL, leading to a 499-fold and 461-fold increase in cell numbers, respectively. Subsequently, the mature microtissues are incorporated into a bioink, thereby enabling successful three-dimensional printing of cultured fish fillets with sensory properties similar to native fish fillets. EPM-based cell expansion and food structuring techniques are promising in facilitating large-scale cultured fish meat production.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuan Zhou & Hongwei Zheng & Yanchi Wu & Haowen Yin & Xiangzhao Mao & Ningyang Li & Huarong Guo & Yaoguang Chang & Xiaoming Jiang & Qinghui Ai & Changhu Xue, 2025. "Scalable production of muscle and adipose cell-laden microtissues using edible macroporous microcarriers for 3D printing of cultured fish fillets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57015-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57015-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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