Plant-produced beta-casein
Protein from genetically modified plants
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Plant-produced beta-casein is bovine beta-casein produced in genetically modified plants through plant molecular farming, also known as pharming. In 2026, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reported genetically engineering plant seeds to produce the milk protein, with the technology subsequently transferred to safflower (Carthamus tinctorius).[1][2]
Safflower seeds, genetically engineered safflower is being developed to produce bovine beta-casein in its seeds. | |
| Type | Plant molecular farming |
|---|---|
| Protein | Beta-casein |
| Host plants | Arabidopsis thaliana, safflower |
| Developed by | Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers |
| First reported | 2026 |
Development
The researchers initially used Arabidopsis thaliana, a widely used model organism in plant biology. They inserted genetic instructions for bovine beta-casein and fused the protein to part of oleosin, a protein associated with oil bodies in plant seeds. The protein was intended to accumulate in cellular vacuoles but instead formed protein-rich structures associated with small oil bodies. The highest-producing experimental line contained beta-casein equal to about 1.26% of its total soluble seed protein while retaining normal germination.[3]
Safflower production
The technology was subsequently transferred to genetically engineered safflower, an oilseed crop capable of growing in hot and relatively arid environments. Researchers have proposed safflower as a crop for scaling production beyond laboratory plants. Because beta-casein contributes to the emulsification, texture, melting and stretching properties of dairy products, plant-produced beta-casein is being investigated as an ingredient for producing dairy foods without obtaining the protein from cattle. The protein-rich fraction can be separated from processed seeds using pressing and centrifugation.[4]