Culinology - June 2021 - 17

INGREDIENT trends
for example, is a digestive enzyme used
to modify the texture and performance of
commercially prepared foods, everything
from whipping cream to creamy sauces. It
is found in humans and some animals, with
most commercial pepsin extracted from the
glandular layer of hog stomachs.
" Pepsin is used as an ingredient in
BlueNalu is growing
fish cells on nutrientrich
medium and then
using technology,
including extrusion
and lamination, to
produce a range
of fish fillets with
the same textural
properties as
conventional fish.
source digital DNA library that allows these
tiny organisms to ferment sugar and create
animal-identical dairy proteins. It then gets
filtered out, leaving pure animal-free dairy
protein. "
The animal-free milk proteins are
nutritionally and molecularly identical to those
found in cow's milk. They perform similarly in
food and beverage applications.
" We create a proprietary blend that fits
The Brave Robot
brand of ice cream
features Perfect
Day's animal-free
dairy protein.
seamlessly into existing manufacturing
processes used by our partners, " Ms. Bunting
said. " Our ingredient is ideal for providing a
rich, creamy, smooth and indulgent eating
experience and excels in product applications
requiring solubility, gelation, water-binding,
foaming, heat stability and emulsification. "
Ice cream is the first application in the
marketplace. Perfect Day currently supplies
Brave Robot, Graeter's and Nick's with its
ingredient.
" Additional applications that our food team
has created include, cream
cheese, cheese curds, yogurt
and more, " Ms. Bunting said.
" Our protein is nutritionally and
functionally identical to milk
proteins. Therefore, products
made with Perfect Day are
required to list our animal-free
protein on their ingredient labels
as 'non-animal whey protein.' "
Clara Foods, San Francisco,
has created an animal-free
egg white and a range of other
functional protein products
for sports nutrition, baking
and industrial uses. Pepsin,
16 | Culinology | JUNE 2021
the manufacturing of digestive health
supplements among other products and
has been an important proof point for our
technology, " said Arturo Elizondo, co-founder
and CEO. " Our main focus is to produce egg
proteins that match the taste, texture and
unique culinary functionality of real eggs. Our
egg proteins are being readied for launch later
this year. "
Clara Food's animal-free proteins are
produced using fermentation technology.
They come in powder and liquid form.
" Our protein technology platform replaces
the process, not the product, " Mr. Elizondo
said. " Our protein platform uses a fraction
of the water, land, energy and greenhouse
gas footprint, when compared to current
factory farming models. And unlike plantbased
protein alternatives, our proteins do
not have taste or texture trade-offs. Our
proteins have the same culinary functionality
as their animal-derived counterparts, but with
the added benefits of safe and consistent
sourcing, quality control, price stability and
enhanced sustainability. "
The animal-free egg proteins work
across a range of applications, from foods
and beverages, such as protein drinks, to
desserts, such as angel food cakes and
meringues. Prototype development shows
the vegan protein matches the sensory
impact of their animal-derived counterparts,
Mr. Elizondo said.
" Our biggest challenge is driving awareness
and education for the safety and efficacy
of the precision fermentation process, as
well as the availability of the product, " Mr.
Elizondo said. " We are working with Ingredion
to educate and inform companies on the
process and its benefits and we will look to
doing the same with consumers.
" We believe this is the future. The factory
farming model is destructive to the planet,
our health and billions of animals worldwide.
Animal proteins have been made via
fermentation for decades, and it's time we
Culinology - June 2021

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