(P06-027-23) EverPro As the Missing Piece in the Plant Protein Portfolio

Objectives: The brewer's spent grain protein isolate EverPro is different regarding techno-functional properties, nutritional value and environmental impact compared to the most comment plant-based proteins, and, hence, represents the missing piece in the plant protein portfolio.

Methods: This study details the nutritional and functional characteristics of BSG protein isolate, EverPro, and compares these with the technological performance of the current gold standard plant protein isolates, pea and soy. As part of the study, EverPro, soy protein isolate and pea protein isolate were analysed for their nutritional composition, their functional properties (foaming, rheological behaviour during heating and cooling, solubility, and emulsification properties.

Results: With a protein content of >85%, it is of high nutritional value, including all indispensable amino acids which allows closing the protein quality gap of plant proteins. Moreover, it possesses high techno-functional properties. It is fully soluble in water (101.7 ± 2.9%), has a high fat absorption capacity (182.4 ± 1.9%), and a foaming capacity which is superior to soy protein or pea protein. This makes EverPro suitable for a vast range of food applications. Furthermore, it does not cause changes in viscosity during heating and cooling of dispersions, such as beverages. Besides its outstanding nutritional and functional characteristics, the production of EverPro has a much lower environmental impact compared to dairy or other plant protein ingredients. Life cycle assessment analysis showed that EverPro has the lowest impact on global warming compared to soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate, whey protein isolate, and egg white powder. It also contributes significantly less to freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication and land use compared the protein sources mentioned above.

Conclusions: EverPro is the prime example of sustainable ingredients, and the type of plant protein the food industry was waiting for: nutritious, multi-functional, and environmentally friendly.

Funding Sources: No funding