# Insect-Based Meats Tufts University Has Proposed the Use of Insect Cells to Grow Muscle and Fat By Grace Mahas | Published 2019-06-11 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insectbased-meats References: [popsci](https://www.popsci.com/insect-protein-steak-meat-pork#page-2) & [frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00024/full) As both consumers and businesses look for more [sustainable protein](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kinokotech) otions, Natalio Rubio, a researcher from [Tufts University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wanda-fish-technologies) has proposed insect-based meat as an alternative. The innovation would use the cells (not the bug) to grow muscle and fat similar to a steak. “We end up with insect muscle and fat tissue, without insect legs, eyes and other crunchy bits. Theoretically, we could produce a product that looks like steak, but is insect-based instead of cow-based,” stated Rubio. The theory is already being applied to beef and leather, which can be [grown in the lab](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivated-meats). The technique could easily be used for growing meat from insects and Rubio's study focuses on fruitfly and caterpillar cells specifically. The new insect-based meat could drastically improve the environment as it would decrease the amount of beef and chicken produced, which both negatively impact the environment. Image Credit: Shutterstock ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Insect-based Meats:** Using insect cells to grow muscle and fat can provide a sustainable protein option and decrease environmental impact. - **Lab-grown Meat:** The process of using cells to grow meat in a lab presents new alternatives for traditional animal-based protein sources. - **Sustainable Protein Sources:** Businesses and consumers alike are exploring new and innovative sustainable protein options, including insect-based meats. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry can explore using insect-based meats as a more sustainable protein option in their products. - **Agriculture:** Within the agriculture industry, exploring insect-based meats could provide alternative products for farmers to produce and sell. - **Environmental Sustainability:** The potential for decreasing negative environmental impacts makes insect-based meats an important innovation within the sustainability industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Microalgae-Based Meat Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microalgae-cultivated-meat.md) - [Edible 3D-Printed Insects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-edible-insects.md) - [Mushroom-Derived Hybrid Meats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mush-foods.md) - [Alt Meat Minces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matr-fungi-mince.md) - [Sustainability-Focused Cultivated Meat Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivated-meat.md) - [Cell-Cultured Shrimp Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cellmeat.md) - [Cell-Based Meat Manufacturing Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cytonest-cytosurge-3d-fiber-scaffold.md) - [Mycelium-Based Chicken Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7030-foodtech.md) - [Savory Insect Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/savory-insect-snack.md)