Evaluation of fermented soybean meal and edible insect hydrolysates as potential serum replacement in pig muscle stem cell culture

In this study, we investigated the potential of edible hydrolysates as a replacement for fetal bovine serum (FBS) in pig muscle stem cell culture. Hydrolysates of two fermented soybean meals (fermented with a combination of Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus subtilis and fermented with Bacillus subtilis) and two edible insects (mealworm and cricket) were prepared (FAB-H, FB-H, TM-H, and GB-H, respectively). All hydrolysates prepared showed antioxidant activity and provided a suitable cell culture environment as the pH of media containing each hydrolysate (at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1%) was within the acceptable range. The supplementation with hydrolysate (0.01–5% FAB-H and FB-H, 0.01–1% TM-H, or 0.01–0.1% GB-H) promoted cell proliferation in media containing 10% FBS. Furthermore, 0.01 and 0.1% of FAB-H, FB-H, and TM-H were able to replace up to 50% of FBS while maintaining proliferation and differentiation capacity. Notably, 0.1% of FB-H and TM-H in 50% FBS-reduced media further enhanced differentiation compared to 10% FBS media. However, further investigations are required to improve the effects of these hydrolysates on the long-term culture of pig muscle stem cells. Nevertheless, the partial FBS replacement with edible and cost-effective natural materials (FAB-H, FB-H, and TM-H) could significantly help reduce the cost of cultured meat significantly.