Recent advances and strategies in cultured satellite cell cultivation for efficient cultured meat production: A review

Abstract

Background: Cultured meat, a branch of cellular agriculture, has emerged as a sustainable protein source alternative that potentially addresses the growing global population and environmental concerns related to traditional meat production. Myoblasts, the progeny of satellite cells, are essential for cultured meat as they can proliferate and differentiate into muscle tissue in vitro. Optimizing the culture conditions and replacing animal-derived materials, such as fetal bovine serum (FBS), is a key challenge to enable scalable production. Scope and approach: This review synthesizes recent studies from 2020 to 2025 on the isolation, culture, and scale-up of cultured satellite cells from various species. It explores enzymatic and sorting techniques for efficient satellite cell isolation; evaluates basal media and coating materials; and highlights alternatives to FBS, including animal-, plant-, insect-, and microalgae-derived supplements. Culture parameters, such as temperature, oxygen level, and growth factors, are analyzed to guide optimization strategies. Key findings and conclusions: Efficient cultured satellite cell expansion requires species-specific enzymatic isolation and surface marker-based sorting, along with appropriate growth factors and substrates. Several FBS substitutes demonstrate promising potential; however, complete replacement remains a challenge. Bioreactor-based scale-up strategies are requisite to satisfying industrial demand, while economic and ethical considerations are set to drive future innovations. This review provides a comprehensive framework for advancing satellite cell technology toward feasible cultured meat production. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.