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A fat produced from yeast cells could offer a viable alternative to cocoa butter, according to research by the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health. The study found that a microbial lipid developed by biotech start-up Sun Bear Biofuture largely went undetected by consumers in taste tests.
Sun Bear Biofuture uses yeast and precision fermentation to develop sustainable alternatives to tropical fats and oils. The research project examined whether its ingredient could successfully replicate cocoa butter in food and cosmetics applications, and found that products made with the substitute were rated equal or preferable in four out of five tests.
What is a microbial lipid?
Microbial lipids are fats and oils produced by microorganisms such as yeast and algae. These microbes generate lipids naturally, and Sun Bear Biofuture prompts them to produce far larger quantities, making the process commercially viable.
'The yeast is fed sugar in a fermenter, which houses the best possible conditions for the cells to multiply and then generate the lipids,' said Ben Wilding, CEO of Sun Bear Biofuture. 'The final stage of production is splitting the cells open so they release their lipids, which are then extracted as the end ingredient.'
An alternative to cocoa
Unlike tropical and vegetable oils, which depend on plant cultivation, harvesting and processing, yeast cells function as self-contained production systems.
Because microbial lipids do not rely on the same raw materials and can be produced anywhere in the world, they offer an alternative to ingredients associated with deforestation, child labour and high emissions.
The company's approach also responds to severe volatility in the cocoa market, which has seen steep price increases. Although costs have eased from their 2024/25 levels, they have not fully returned to previous levels.
Last week, chocolate maker Lindt lowered its sales forecast, citing 'necessary price increases' and subdued consumer sentiment, while Mondelēz International's Q1 2026 results flagged volatile cocoa costs as an ongoing business risk.
Consumer validation
The Oxford Brookes findings have given the company greater confidence as it scales up production at its new pilot plant.
'We used equipment from brewing and dairy and built our pilot plant for just £30,000,' Wilding said. 'This is less than 10% of what the typical costs would be. With our low cap-ex approach and our novel downstream processing approach, we believe we have reduced the cost of building an industrial-scale facility by 83%.'
Sun Bear Biofuture plans to begin industrial-scale production runs by the end of 2027, with full operations expected by 2029, although novel food approval is still required.
Wilding said the four-year-old company will launch in cosmetics first before moving into the food sector.
Source: Food Manufacture