Brevel, Ltd. has announced its entry into the plant cell-culture (PCC) market, utilising its proprietary illuminated fermentation platform to support the production of plant-based ingredients. The company aims to assist other firms in scaling production and enhancing nutrient yields by introducing light-driven metabolism into the fermentation process.
Unlike traditional dark fermentation, which relies on standard biological inputs, Brevel’s technology incorporates controlled light exposure within the fermenter. This approach is designed to influence the cell’s output, allowing for the modulation of desirable value-added compounds. For the plant cell-culture sector, this technique addresses limitations associated with conventional methods by applying precise light profiles that can improve growth rates and metabolite profiles, including bioactive ingredients and phenols.
Partnership with Coffeesai
To demonstrate the platform's potential in the R&D stage, Brevel has entered into a collaboration with coffee cell-culture specialist Coffeesai. The partnership aims to use light to promote the growth of coffee cells and accelerate the transition from laboratory environments to commercial-scale production.
The collaboration addresses specific challenges within the coffee sector, where high-quality varieties such as Arabica are sensitive to temperature shifts and climate-related factors. By growing coffee cells in suspension, the companies are exploring ways to generate consistent output that is less dependent on land, water, and seasonal variability. Initial trials have observed that manipulating the light profile can influence the sensory profile of the resulting biomass, achieving stable, high-density cultivations.
Operational framework and growth
Brevel’s expansion into the PCC market is supported by a three-phase business model:
Development: Initiation of proof-of-concept projects to test feasibility using the illuminated fermentation platform.
Scale-up: Pilot production at Brevel’s manufacturing facilities, which operate fermenters ranging from 50L to 5,000L under food quality assurance certifications, including FSSC 22000 and HACCP.
Commercialisation: Full-scale production of high-value products, managed either by Brevel or through joint venture and manufacturing partnerships.
The company has received funding from the Israel Innovation Authority to specifically adapt this technology for plant cell culture. Beyond the Coffeesai collaboration, Brevel is working with other industry partners, including US-based Ayana Bio and a cocoa cell-culture developer, to apply its platform to varied biological inputs.
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