Exploring the Potential of Cell Culture for the Development of Future Antioxidants and Antimicrobials
Novella Partners with Metaphor Foods to Revolutionize Natural Preservatives
Israeli foodtech startup Novella is making waves in the industry with its innovative approach to producing high-value food and personal care ingredients using plant cell culture technology. The company, which specializes in the production of known bioactives such as alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenols, has recently struck a strategic partnership with Metaphor Foods, the innovation arm of global ingredients and private label food giant Hela APAC.
The agreement, valued at $10 million over seven years, promises to be a game-changer. The strategic potential of this partnership extends across multiple revenue-generating categories, including seafood, dairy, baked goods, alternative protein products, and pet food.
Novella's focus on core compound groups—alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenols—is particularly noteworthy. The company is planning to launch products in soluble powder formats such as sachets, capsules, and other powder-based applications. This approach offers a consistent and scalable natural alternative to traditional preservatives, which often suffer from low yield and high costs, especially for natural antioxidants like proanthocyanidins.
The first product launch in the dietary supplement sector is planned for late 2025, with commercial-scale sales beginning in 2026, pending regulatory approvals. In regions like the EU, all plant cell products fall under the Novel Food category, but in many countries, plant cells are not considered novel.
Novella's production method does not involve multi-use plastic bioreactors, making it a more sustainable option compared to traditional agricultural methods. The company uses commercially available stainless-steel bioreactors for production, with global production flexibility achieved through contract manufacturers based in Italy.
The commercial launch of products for Metaphor Foods' Hela Natvance range is planned for early 2026. Novella's products are not considered novel in some countries, but in regions like the EU, all plant cell products fall under the Novel Food category. Regulatory acceptance depends on demonstrating safety, consistency, and equivalence or superiority to traditional ingredients.
Plant cell culture technology offers several advantages over traditional agricultural methods, including higher yields, greater control over production parameters, and potentially lower costs by reducing reliance on expensive growth factors. It allows for the production of natural compounds, such as saffron’s key bioactive molecules used in culinary and health applications, by tuning media conditions (temperature, pH, oxygen) and selecting optimal cell strains, which can accelerate R&D timelines.
Regarding natural preservatives, plant cell culture technology can produce antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that serve as natural preservatives in food and personal care products. For example, proanthocyanidins exhibit strong antioxidant activity that can prevent lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage, helping maintain product stability. Additionally, bioactive compounds like cinnamaldehyde encapsulated in coatings can inhibit enzymes and ethylene production that cause spoilage, extending freshness and shelf life.
Multiple trials with meat products have been conducted with impressive results, claiming to replace natural antioxidants, reduce cost, and extend shelf life by 30%. This makes Novella's technology particularly attractive for industries where preservatives are crucial.
In summary, Novella's plant cell culture technology compares favorably to traditional methods by enabling controlled, sustainable, and potentially more cost-effective production of natural food and personal care ingredients, including natural preservatives with antioxidant capacities. While regulatory pathways are analogous to those for natural extracts, attention to manufacturing process validation and safety is critical. The technology also offers opportunities to overcome challenges in supply stability and product consistency inherent in traditional agriculture.
- Science and technology are becoming integral parts of the health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise industries, as seen in the partnership between Novella and Metaphor Foods, aiming to revolutionize natural preservatives.
- The business collaboration between Novella and Hela APAC's innovation arm extends across various revenue-generating categories such as food, dairy, baked goods, alternative protein products, and pet food, representing opportunities in the food-and-drink and foodtech segments.
- Education-and-self-development is essential for success in this collaboration, as Novella's production method requires an understanding of plant cell culture technology, enabling controlled, sustainable, and potentially cost-effective production of natural compounds.
- Finance plays a significant role in novel ventures like Novella, as their strategic partnership with Metaphor Foods is valued at $10 million over seven years.
- Lifestyle considerations are involved as well, as consumers increasingly prefer natural, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions, with Novella's technology offering potential benefits in these areas, particularly in regards to food and personal care product preservatives.
