Biotech company Krokos Bio ventures into the field of plant cell culture, introducing saffron technology, as fractures surface within the botanical supply network
Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, is set to undergo a significant transformation with the advent of plant cell culture (PCC) technology. This innovative approach, already being adopted for high-value botanicals like aloe vera, vanilla, and coffee, is seen as a buffer against unpredictable weather, political instability, and disease threats to traditional agricultural supply chains.
Advantages of Plant Cell Culture
PCC offers several significant advantages over traditional agriculture. Firstly, production takes place in controlled bioreactors, making it climate-proof and independent of rainfall, temperature, or weather conditions that affect traditional saffron cultivation.
Secondly, the cost efficiency and scalability of PCC are noteworthy. Plant cells can be grown continuously, 24/7 year-round, bypassing long growing cycles, which can reduce costs and increase production speed compared to the slow vegetative and propagation cycles in traditional farming.
Thirdly, PCC supports more sustainable manufacturing practices with substantially less land, water, and labor inputs required compared to field cultivation. This reduction supports a lower environmental impact.
Fourthly, PCC can produce botanicals retaining the full spectrum of active compounds, leading to authentic flavor, aroma, and health benefits that match or exceed those of field-grown saffron.
Lastly, PCC can stabilize supply chains by mitigating agricultural risks, such as drought, labor intensity, low yields, and disease, leading to a more reliable supply and potentially lower prices.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its benefits, PCC faces some challenges. The biological complexity of saffron, with its complex growth requirements, still limits efficient micropropagation at scale using tissue culture methods. Achieving optimal conditions in bioreactors for consistent high yields can be technically demanding.
Additionally, setting up PCC platforms requires advanced technology, biomanufacturing infrastructure, and skilled personnel, potentially leading to higher upfront investments compared to planting fields.
PCC is generally seen as complementing conventional agriculture rather than fully replacing it, especially where integrated supply chains and market perceptions matter. Some consumers and industries may initially prefer field-grown products due to perceptions of naturalness or heritage farming practices.
Krokos Bio's Approach to Saffron Production
Krokos Bio, a California-based startup, is at the forefront of this revolution. The company's approach to growing saffron via PCC involves taking samples from source plants, de-differentiating them, creating a callus culture, and growing the cells in suspension culture before re-differentiating them into stigma cells.
Dr. Emma Skoog, a seasoned expert in the field, joined Krokos Bio as cofounder and Chief Science Officer. The company has developed a modification to the normal PCC workflow that results in higher yields and a shorter R&D timeline.
Krokos Bio's business model will involve partnering with ingredient companies and distributors that understand the market and have established partnerships. The startup is developing a food-grade saffron powder for culinary uses, which will contain all three compounds—crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal—that give saffron its distinctive culinary appeal and health benefits around mood, sleep, metabolic health, and appetitive suppression.
Despite the initial investments and challenges, the unit economics of PCC for saffron look favorable, even at a relatively small scale of around 1,000-L. Beginning with a clear understanding of what markets and products make sense is crucial before starting the technical work in the PCC segment.
With funding from Big Idea Ventures and strategic connections facilitated by the venture capital firm, Krokos Bio is well-positioned to revolutionize the saffron industry and pave the way for the next generation of high-value botanicals produced via PCC.
[1] Plant Cell Culture: An Emerging Technology for the Production of High-Value Botanicals
[2] The Current Status of Plant Cell Culture for Commercial Production of Saffron
[3] Krokos Bio: Revolutionizing Saffron Production with Plant Cell Culture
[4] Plant Cell Culture: The Future of High-Value Botanical Production
- The advent of plant cell culture (PCC) technology opens up exciting possibilities for high-value botanicals such as saffron, helping create a more stable, sustainable, and efficient food and drink industry with improved health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle options.
- By embracing PCC technology, companies like Krokos Bio can revolutionize the saffron industry, ultimately disrupting traditional agriculture practices as this innovative approach promises climate-proof, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly production, without sacrificing flavor, aroma, and health benefits.
- As plant cell culture (PCC) continues to evolve, we can anticipate broader applications in various sectors, such as food-and-drink, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition, transforming our lifestyles for the better and positioning science at the forefront of a sustainable and dependable future.
