ReaGenics deploys plant cell culture to create potato biomass with 31% protein content

Potatoes sometimes comprise simply 2% protein by weight and usually are not grown as a protein crop. By rising them in cell tradition, Israeli startup ReaGenics has elevated that determine to 31%, and believes it could actually get to 40%, probably opening up new markets for a protein it claims has vital benefits over pea and soy.

ReaGenics is one in every of a handful of startups rising high-value components through plant cell culture. Moderately than utilizing daylight, water, and soil to nurture fully-grown crops, companies on this house develop plant cells indoors in bioreactors ate up sugars, nutritional vitamins, minerals, and different vitamins.

For some components, that is underpinned by sustainability arguments: Why use giant quantities of agricultural land, water and vitality to nurture fully-grown crops once you’re solely involved in one small a part of the plant?

For others, plant cell tradition can guarantee a constant provide of botanicals with supply chains increasingly threatened by climate change and unpredictable climate, political instability, adulteration, illness, and heavy metals and pesticides from soil. It additionally provides the promise of speedy, constant, and managed manufacturing of plant compounds with no pesticides.

For potatoes, says ReaGenics cofounder and chairman Dr. Michael Kagan, switching to plant cell tradition can allow a dramatic enhance in protein manufacturing.

“Not all potato varieties may be made into tissue tradition,” he informed AgFunderNews. “However we managed to do it with a choose few, and after we optimized circumstances for the cells to develop, we found that the focus of the proteins within the cells is way increased. After which by making use of totally different stress circumstances (temperature, media and many others) you may get it even increased, and that is all non GMO, with the complete spectrum of amino acids that you’d discover in a [regular] potato [grown in soil].”

The market alternative

Proper now, potato protein is a byproduct of starch manufacturing. Dutch agency Avebe is the best-known participant available in the market with a branded protein referred to as Solanic, whereas UK-based potato provider Branston is entering the market this yr.

That mentioned, given the small portions obtainable and difficult economics, potato protein doesn’t, but, play a significant function within the human meals market, mentioned Kagan.

“In the intervening time, the principle market is for animal feed, though the protein may be very near animal proteins comparable to egg and casein on the subject of vitamin and performance. It’s extremely soluble and has gelling, foaming, emulsification, binding, texturizing and stabilizing properties, plus it’s non-allergenic, which makes it very engaging to meals formulators if the supply is there and the worth is correct. It has a PDCAAS (protein digestibility) rating of 0.99 [with 1 being the gold standard].”

He added: “Additionally it is white coloured with no disagreeable odor or aftertaste you have to cowl up, which isn’t the case with most plant proteins, plus it has a really small environmental footprint.”

In accordance with Kagan, ReaGenics has been “approached by various large firms” involved in exploring potato protein for quite a lot of purposes from plant-based meat analogs to plant-based milks. Different areas of curiosity embody fries and potato chips made out of potato paste (suppose Pringles) with increased protein content material that doesn’t negatively influence style.

One other space of alternative is merchandise for individuals with acute malnutrition, mentioned Kagan. “In the intervening time, the principle proteins for these merchandise are peanuts and whey, that are each main allergens. The opposite factor is that we may provide carbs in addition to protein, because the potato biomass incorporates each.”

Is it scalable?

As for scalability, ReaGenics has examined its steady manufacturing course of in plastic and stainless-steel bioreactor platforms that it has developed, he mentioned. “However we aren’t going to construct a large manufacturing amenities for potato protein [in-house]. As a substitute we’re in touch with various firms who’re involved in creating factories that may produce potato biomass at scale underneath license. Our optimized bioreactor unit is between 4,000 to 10,000 liters. In parallel, we’re engaged on growing the protein focus. We predict we will get to 40% with out GMO, however nature has its limits.”

Requested about downstream processing prices, these will range relying on the tip product, he mentioned, noting that some clients will need purified potato protein, whereas others could also be involved in the entire biomass.

 Regulatory path ahead

From a regulatory perspective, he mentioned, ReaGenics would possible must undergo the GRAS (usually acknowledged as secure course of) within the US however doesn’t anticipate large challenges as potato protein is a recognized amount and ReaGenics is just not utilizing genetic engineering. In Europe, nonetheless, it could possible must undergo the novel meals course of.

ReaGenics is engaged on quite a lot of components grown through plant cell tradition together with cannabinoids, espresso, resveratrol, anthocyanins from purple maize, and extra.

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