Plant proteins a meaty prospect for experts

For instance, 50 kilograms of soybean protein as forage can produce 8.8 kg of beef protein and 13.5 kg of chicken protein. "If soybean protein was not transferred into animal protein, but directly ingested by humans, we can reduce the protein loss in the process," Wang said.

Although China has expanded the combined plantation of soybean and corn this year, which is expected to increase the total soybean output, the self-sufficiency rate still cannot reach 25 percent.

"Developing plant-based meat and other protein substitutes plays an important role in indirectly reducing soybean imports," he said.

The protein substitutes business in China has been burgeoning in recent years, with emphasis from central authorities.

President Xi Jinping said during this year's two sessions that China should develop biotechnology and try to get protein from plants and microorganisms.

The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for science and technology development in agriculture and rural areas was released in January, proposing, for the first time, to research cell-cultured meat and other artificially synthesized proteins.

The National Development and Reform Commission announced last month that the country will develop food with artificially synthesized protein during the 14th Five-Year Plan to upgrade the food industry and alleviate environmental pressure caused by traditional animal breeding.

While cell-based meat is still in its initial phase of scientific research in China, plant-based meat has been commercialized and proven to be safe.

Plant-based meat tries to mimic the texture and taste of animal meat. "The nature of protein in plant-based meat and animal meat is not different, except that animal protein is more delicious and is easier to absorb by the human body," Wang said.

The institute has been tackling the technical difficulties of making textured soybean protein.

"We have succeeded in the laboratory and will industrialize the results through better integrating science and technology," Wang said.

"Most plant-based meat products taste like chicken and beef when chewing roughly but the flavor of soy products can remain. Plant-based meat is safe because it has no veterinary drug residues or antibiotics, which is not advocated by vegetarians and environmentalists.

"However, it can only be a choice for people's various protein needs and will never replace animal meat," Wang added.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn