Burcon NutraScience Corporation announced that it has received a co-investment from Proteins Industries Canada for the development of high-quality protein ingredients from sunflower seeds.
The company said the $1 million project will see Burcon partnering with Pristine Gourmet, a processor of 100% pure Canadian non-genetically modified organism (GMO) cold pressed virgin oils, to further develop Burcon's novel process for the production of sunflower protein ingredients.
“Sunflower protein checks all the boxes as an ideal source of plant-based protein,” Burcon NutraScience interim CEO Peter Kappel said in a statement.
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“With this investment, Burcon and Pristine Gourmet can accelerate the development of value-added premium protein ingredients coming from a by-product normally used as animal feed,” Kappel added.
Burcon noted that by leveraging its core protein extraction and purification platform, the project intends to fine-tune and scale up an economical extraction and isolation process arising from the by-product (pressed cake) of sunflower oil production.
Sunflower protein ingredients are naturally non-GMO, have a favourable taste profile, low allergenicity, are particularly label-friendly, and easily understood and accepted by consumers, according to the company.
It added that as the world's third largest oilseed crop, behind soy and canola, sunflower seed has significant potential to be a major source of protein within the plant-based food revolution.
As well, Burcon said sunflower seed proteins produced using its extraction technology exhibit unique and potentially valuable functional characteristics as well as a nutritional profile similar to that of canola protein.
Burcon is a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins for foods and beverages. With over two decades of experience formulating high-purity proteins that have superior functionality, taste and nutrition, the company has amassed an extensive patent portfolio covering its novel plant-based proteins derived from pea, canola, soy, hemp, sunflower seed, among other plant sources.
Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com