Is cultured meat possible without antibiotics?

Antibiotics are commonly used in cell-based meat production to prevent bacterial contamination. However, their use raises concerns about antibiotic resistance and residual traces in the final food products, which could impact public health and regulatory approval. A research team led by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with the Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise (SHARE), investigated the potential of Random Antimicrobial Peptide Mixtures (RPMs) — synthetic peptide cocktails with broad antimicrobial activity — as an alternative solution that could support cultured meat production by eliminating bacterial contamination without harming stem cell viability or contributing to antibiotic resistance.

The study, conducted by PhD student Idan Yakir and Professor Zvi Hayouka, demonstrated strong bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes and Gram-negative bacteria E. coli without harming the host cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), crucial for cultured meat production, showed no significant toxicity when exposed to RPMs at concentrations effective against bacteria. Unlike conventional antibiotics, RPMs exhibited a low occurrence of bacterial resistance and the researchers said the RPM mixture was quickly broken down in a simulated digestion model.

Cultured meat has been heralded as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming; however, microbial contamination remains a key challenge. The findings suggest that RPMs could serve as a scalable, cost-effective antimicrobial strategy in this burgeoning industry.

“Our findings demonstrate the immense potential of RPMs as a novel class of antimicrobial agents for cultured meat production,” Hayouka said. “By eliminating the need for antibiotics in cellular agriculture, we can enhance consumer safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental sustainability.”

The team is now exploring industrial applications and regulatory pathways to integrate RPMs into commercial cultured meat production, aiming for broader adoption in the alternative protein industry. It has also established a startup company based on this technology called Prevera.

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