Brazil Develops Lab-Grown Donkey Collagen to Combat Global Ejiao Demand
मुख्य बातें
- •Brazil is developing lab-grown donkey collagen to combat the global decline in donkey populations due to rising ejiao demand.
- •The lab-grown collagen method involves inserting donkey collagen DNA into microorganisms such as yeast to create a protein identical to the one derived from donkey skins.
- •The ejiao industry has become a billion-dollar market, fueled by China's expanding middle class and appetite for anti-aging products.
- •The global donkey population risks being shipped to China and turned into medicinal jelly within the next decade or two.
- •Animal welfare experts warn that the trade poses broader risks beyond population decline, including disease risks and illegal trade.
- •A January survey found that 46% of Chinese adults do not know ejiao is made from donkey skin, and 70% are unaware of associated animal welfare, environmental, and disease concerns.
The global donkey population is facing a severe decline due to the skyrocketing demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicinal product made from donkey hides. To combat this issue, Brazilian scientists are working on developing lab-grown donkey collagen using precision fermentation. Led by veterinarian and professor Carla Molento, the team at the Federal University of Parana aims to create a scalable alternative to traditional ejiao production by 2027. This innovation could potentially reduce the need for animal slaughter and stabilize the donkey population.