A new range of foods and supplements based on canola protein is beingdeveloped by Hormel Foods’ Century Foods International divisionfollowing a deal with protein specialist BioExx.
There has been growing interest in canola as an alternative source of protein
Interest in canolaas an alternative to whey and other proteins has been growing in recentyears, with developments driven by two Canadian firms: Toronto-based BioExx and Vancouver-based Burcon NutraScience.
Burcon, which received a no objections letter from the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) affirming the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status of itsPuratein and Supertein canola protein isolates, is working with foodgiant ADM to explore the ”commercialization potential” of its canola proteins.
BioExx, meanwhile, has also recently filed a GRAS Notice with the FDAafter securing self-affirmed GRAS for its Isolexx and Vitalexx canolaproteins, and last week struck a deal with Century to co-develop a rangeof sports nurtition products to be manufactured and marketed byCentury.
Canola has clear advantages over rival protein sources
According to BioExx, its canola proteins have clear advantages over manysoy and whey proteins from a price, technical and nutritionalperspective, with an amino acid profile “on a par with many animal proteins and superior to most vegetable proteins”.
Meanwhile its proprietary extraction system allows for the eliminationof the traditional toasting/desolventizing stage in canola processing,ensuring low temperatures are maintained throughout the extraction ofboth the oils and proteins.
This means that BioExx can avoid the denaturing process that usuallykicks in when proteins are exposed to high temperatures, which makes itharder to separate them from the meal and can reduce their solubilityand functionality, claims the firm.
BioExx says it has also been able to improve the flavor and odor profileof canola proteins and decrease the ‘anti-nutrients’ that hadhistorically hindered its use as a food grade material by up to 90percent.
Meal replacements, nutritional beverages, supplements
Under the deal with Century, which covers the US and Canada, thepartners will look at products including meal replacements, dietarysupplements, weight-loss aids, powdered protein supplements, nutritionalbeverages and custom formulations.
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