Views: 1 Author: zhitiqiao Publish Time: 2022-05-27 Origin: Superbrew Food
Recently, the new protein raw material launched by Superbrew Food has obtained self-identified GRAS status. This is a brand new, non-GMO food ingredient that is marketed as a "postbiotic cultured protein".
The company's founder, Dr. Bryan Tracy, said that the raw material is a nutrient-dense protein source, with a protein content of more than 80% and a relatively high content of vitamin B12.
Unlike precision fermentation startups that use synthetic biology techniques to genetically modify microbes to produce target molecules, or to extract and isolate proteins from soybeans or peas, Superbrew Food is growing non-GMO microbes (a common human gut bacteria). ) as a whole food source.
Other companies that focus on microbial protein, such as Nature’s Fynd, also use protein-rich microbes as whole foods (sometimes called biomass fermentation), and Superbrew Food has higher microbial protein content (up to 80% or more).
At present, the company has proven that this ingredient is safe in a wide range of food applications, and the ingredient is less risky as a food allergen. The independent panel of experts has also affirmed it positively. The next step is to report to the US FDA. Submit GRAS certification.
The company's whole food ingredients are grown in fermenters at record rates and at a fraction of the cost of inputs required to grow traditional food crops or raise and slaughter animals.
01
What is the attractiveness of the postbiotic culture protein market?
The initial focus directions for this ingredient are: non-animal milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, ice cream, nutritional beverages, healthy snacks and baked goods. But what's the appeal of the ingredient for food companies that are looking for new, more sustainable sources of protein, while at the same time wanting to use ingredients that consumers can identify and understand?
The company revealed that it now has commercial-scale production capacity for the ingredient, and expects the first products to be available next year with the ingredient, which has a neutral taste, natural white color, good pH and temperature stability properties, and good emulsifying properties. It looks like milk until you dry it.
In terms of industrial applications, the initial push is animal-free milk, cheese, creamers, yogurt, ice cream, nutritional beverages, healthy snacks and baked goods. In these foods, it can be used to replace eggs in brownies and dessert breads, or to make high-protein tortillas.
The company also says the protein can be extruded in a variety of forms, such as simple textured protein and high-moisture meat analogs, as a primary protein in combination with other plant-based proteins and ingredients.
02
A "postbiotic" ingredient
According to ISAPP's definition, this protein is a "postbiotic".
As for marketing, the ingredient complies with the definition of 'postbiotic' (an inanimate microorganism and/or its constituents) as proposed in the recently published ISAPP (International Society for the Science of Probiotics and Prebiotics) consensus document. By this definition, this protein component belongs to the metazoan.
While bacterial proteins may seem difficult to market, especially to consumers who are less health-conscious. But the concept of edible bacteria itself is relatively mature due to the presence of probiotics (living microorganisms that are beneficial to health), and these are completely inactivated, non-spore-forming, non-viable bacteria.
While most consumers are not yet familiar with the term "postbiotic," if they see it on packaging or in marketing communications, they may associate it with probiotics and prebiotics (which have a positive connotation).
However, this new protein ingredient is a bacterial-derived postbiotic, and Superbrew Food has observed a positive response from potential consumers.
03
Low-Processing, High-Nutrition Protein Ingredients
Although the company has begun to use the term "postbiotic cultured protein" in its marketing push, labelling in the U.S. is still underway.
Marketing to consumers, this is a natural, complete food protein ingredient that is less processed than other protein ingredients with equivalent protein levels such as soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate, and whey protein isolate to a lower degree.
Avoid processing to keep extra nutrients like 5 B vitamins and 6 essential minerals (excluding sodium). It also contains lots of healthy biogenic amines. These additional nutrients are available in highly bioavailable forms, such as B12, which is the more bioavailable form presented as methylcobalamin instead of cyanocobalamin.
04
How to follow the plant-based trend?
The ingredients in Superbrew Food are not inherently plant-based, how does it fit into the whole plant-based trend?
Several protein and other ingredient companies that make meat, egg and dairy substitutes are now facing similar challenges, Bryan Tracy said. These include new protein sources from the algae Euglena or other marine organisms or fungi, although some are "equivalent" to animal proteins, but without animal involvement.
Trying to define a whole new category for consumers is difficult right now, and frankly, there are unlabeled ways in all categories. For example, it can be added to non-dairy beverages or egg-free brownie product recipes. At the same time, the ingredient could improve the precision of plant-based products, making them more palatable, healthier and more affordable to a wider range of consumers.
Unlike other companies that use strains for fermented proteins, this company is a company that produces single-cell protein for food through anaerobic fermentation, and many anaerobic organisms produce and accumulate large amounts of B vitamins.
A 30-gram serving meets FDA requirements for a good source of five B vitamins, including a full-day supply of B12, and a good source of six essential minerals, such as iron, phosphorus, and magnesium.
From probiotics to prebiotics to postbiotics, the intestinal micro-ecological raw materials are constantly iteratively updated, and postbiotics have become a hot spot in the market due to their good performance advantages. At the FFNS2022 Future Nutrient Summit held in Hainan from June 30th to July 1st, 2022, there is a section dedicated to "Postbiotics | Plant Ingredients | Chinese Herbal Ingredients and Intestinal Microflora Interaction Metabolic Health", The intestinal microecology is discussed in all aspects from research mechanism to product development to future development trends. If you are interested in this event, please contact us to register.
