In a significant move for the alternative protein industry, PoLoPo, an Israeli molecular farming company, has announced its entry into the potato protein market.
The Ness Ziona-based firm revealed on August 27, 2024, that it will begin supplying patatin, the primary protein found in potatoes, to commercial clients following recent regulatory approval.
PoLoPo has made a name for itself in the biotechnology sector with its innovative approach to protein production. The company uses advanced metabolic engineering techniques to transform potato plants into efficient micro-biofactories capable of manufacturing specific proteins.
While their primary focus has been on producing egg protein (ovalbumin) in potatoes, this process also enhances the potato’s natural protein content.
Patatin, the protein PoLoPo will be supplying, is highly valued in the food and beverage industry for its versatility and nutritional profile. It boasts a high-quality protein score (PDCAAS value of 0.99) and contains all essential amino acids. Food manufacturers often use patatin in plant-based meat and dairy alternatives for its emulsifying, gelling, and texturizing properties. It’s also a popular ingredient in bakery products and protein drinks.
Dr. Maya Sapir-Mir, CEO of PoLoPo, explained the company’s decision to enter the patatin market: “While our main goal remains bringing molecular-farmed egg protein to market, we discovered a significant demand for high-quality patatin at competitive prices during our conversations with clients.”
The move into patatin production is expected to be relatively straightforward for PoLoPo. As patatin is the potato’s native protein, the regulatory process is anticipated to be less complex, allowing for a faster time-to-market compared to their engineered egg protein.
PoLoPo’s entry into the market could potentially disrupt current pricing structures. Functional patatin typically commands high prices, often exceeding $100 per kilogram, due to the costly extraction and drying processes involved in traditional production methods. However, PoLoPo’s transgenic potatoes produce such high levels of patatin that the extraction process becomes more economical, potentially leading to better protein yields at lower costs.
The company’s production process involves harvesting the engineered potato tubers once they reach sufficient size. The proteins are then extracted and dried into a powder that can be easily integrated into existing food processing lines and formulations. Importantly, while the proteins are derived from genetically engineered plants, the final protein powder contains no genetic material and is considered non-GMO.
This development marks a significant step forward in the alternative protein industry, potentially making high-quality, functional plant proteins more accessible and affordable for food manufacturers. As the demand for plant-based products continues to grow globally, innovations like PoLoPo’s could play a crucial role in meeting this increasing need.
Find out more at: https://www.polopo.tech/