Cultivated seafood start-up E-Fishient Protein claims product “will be better than the original”

Petah Tikva, Israel-based E-fishient Protein, a collaboration of BioMeat FoodTech and the Volcani Institute, is working to develop raw cell-based materials for fish cutlets, fingers, balls, and fillets.

BioMeat is the controlling partner in the new start-up, with a 76 percent share of E-Fishient, and will be responsible for management of the company’s development and operational funding. The Volcani Institute has a heavy focus on agricultural research and has a 10 share of E-fishient's capital. E-Fishient will utilize the Volcani Institute’s facilities, and its and development team.

The company plans to initially focus on tilapia, citing its status as one of the most-consumed finfish in the world. 

“Tilapia comprises over 10.3 percent of total finfish production, more than double that of salmon, which accounts for ‘only’ 4.5 percent of the market," E-Fishient CEO Dana Levin told Food Navigator.

Consumption of tilapia is expected to increas faster than any other seafood species in the next decade, according to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030.

“It is very popular with consumers owing to its flavor, texture, and nutritional value. It is the fifth-most consumed fish in the U.S., widely consumed all over China, and is forecast it increase its market share in developing and developed countries alike,” Levin said.

E-Fishient said it plans to create a cell-based tilapia alternative with a similar flavor, texture, and nutritional value without pesticides, antibiotics, or ecological damage caused from fish farming.

“Not only is Nile tilapia an excellent choice for the processed-fish industry, it also serves as a great product for plant-based fish companies, which struggle to simulate the flavor of fish," it said.

The team added it plans to develop processes to cultivate the fish product using non-animal serum. Cell-based foods are often made using fetal bovine serum, which is both a sustainability concern and a potential bottleneck for the growing industry. 

The company told Food Navigator its initial focus will be the Asia-Pacific market, since it is the region with the highest consumption of tilapia. Later, as the industry is developed, it plans to focus on European and North American markets.