The Muscle Mag
Collagen is a popular trend in the nutraceutical industry due to its numerous benefits for skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, and muscle recovery.
However, traditional collagen production methods involve animal flesh, making it unsuitable for vegetarians, vegans, and environmentally conscious consumers concerned about deforestation.
Fortunately, innovators are now developing sustainable, animal-free collagen alternatives using cellular agriculture techniques.
Don’t have a cow! How innovators make animal-free collagen
In the US, Jellatech is pioneering the production of human and mammalian collagen in a lab environment, aiming to create a sustainable collagen solution without relying on animal sources.
They select and cultivate the best cell types to optimize collagen production, resulting in a cruelty-free and slaughter-free collagen product free from animal cells or DNA.
These innovative methods offer a more ethical and environmentally friendly approach to collagen production.
Plant-based collagen to disrupt functional food and drink, today
Companies like VeCollal in Belgium and ProTec Nutra in the UK are using plant-based techniques to create biomimetic versions of human collagen, mimicking its form and function.
These plant-based collagen alternatives provide a sustainable and effective option for nutraceuticals and food and beverage products.
How does animal-free collagen compare to its conventional counterpart?
Animal-free collagen products like Vollagen and VeCollal have proven to be equally bioavailable and effective as traditional collagen sources.
Research shows that these plant-based and cell-cultured collagen alternatives can deliver comparable or even superior results in terms of skin health and beauty.
Plant-based vs cell-based production methods
Innovators like Jellatech believe that cell-based technology is the key to producing truly functional collagen without relying on animals.
On the other hand, companies like VeCollal see value in plant-based collagen for specific applications, such as medical or topical use.
Both methods offer unique benefits and potential for disrupting the collagen market.
What is the animal-free collagen potential in food and drink?
Find out more in Part 2 of our exploration into animal-free collagen here.
