#Japan #Mito City #Quantum Flowers #Neutron Beam #Lactic Acid Bacteria

Quantum Flowers & Foods' Revolutionary Breakthrough in Lactic Acid Bacteria Development

The company Quantum Flowers & Foods (QFF), based in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, has made significant strides in agricultural biotechnology. Recently, QFF announced that it has successfully completed Phase 1 of its lactic acid bacteria development service, leveraging the innovative neutron beam breeding technology. This is part of the Food Tech Business Validation Project — an initiative supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan.

Neutron Beam Breeding Technology

QFF’s neutron beam breeding service, known as "Neutron Beam Speedy Breeding®", is aimed at rapidly enhancing microbial strains, specifically lactic acid bacteria. During the validity testing, QFF successfully introduced mutations into two strains of lactic acid bacteria, modifying their morphological characteristics such as colony structure, color, and chain formation. These advancements mark a crucial step towards the practical application of this technology.

Overcoming Transportation Challenges

One of the notable outcomes of this experiment was the resolution of challenges related to the transportation of lactic acid bacteria. This significant achievement has laid the groundwork for a new, operational strain development service. The next phases involve even more ambitious goals, such as selecting strains that enhance beneficial traits like acidity tolerance and intestinal health effects, as well as creating strains suited for allergy relief and plant-based dairy alternatives.

Future Plans

QFF’s trajectory aims for two additional phases:

• - Phase 2 (Fiscal Year 2025):

- Functional evaluations of the mutated strains concerning acidity tolerance, proliferation properties, and gut health effects.
- Development of microbial strains for food manufacturing purposes.

• - Phase 3 (Fiscal Year 2026 and onwards):

- Establishing a mass production system and automated assessment models.
- Creating new strains targeting allergy relief and plant-based dairy products.
- Testing transport methods for dried microbial cells and applying this to functional food products.

Significance in the Field

The neutron beam technology applied by QFF showcases the potential for high-efficiency mutations in microorganisms, achieving mutation rates 15 to 300 times higher than conventional techniques. This breakthrough enables rapid and accurate delivery of beneficial mutations to lactic acid bacteria, which are essential for health-oriented food products and the expanding plant-based market.

Addressing Global Food Challenges

With ongoing challenges such as climate change, population growth, and a diversifying food demand, the need for sustainable food production methods has never been more urgent. QFF operates under the leadership of CEO Hakuo Kikuchi, who holds a Ph.D. in physics, successfully commercializing neutron beam breeding technology to help accelerate solutions to social issues related to food security and environmental sustainability.

Company Overview

Quantum Flowers & Foods, founded in July 2018, is committed to leading innovations in the food technology sector. By focusing on their neutron beam breeding service, they strive to evolve traditional agricultural practices and deliver high-quality ingredients for a healthier future.

For more information on QFF’s lactic acid bacteria development services, please contact Business Solutions Department representative Shunsuke Naito at: [email protected] or by phone at 03-6661-1611. To learn more about their services, visit QFF's website.

Conclusion

QFF's innovative approach to lactic acid bacteria development through neutron beam technology is a burgeoning area in food tech. With its successful completion of Phase 1, QFF is on track to revolutionize how we understand and utilize beneficial microbial strains, ultimately leading to more sustainable and health-centric food options.