Earlier this year, GFI announced the winners of our
inaugural Competitive Research Grant Program. Thanks to the generosity
of two visionary donors, we were able to allocate three million dollars
in research funding to fourteen scientists from all corners of the
globe—from Estonia to China to Israel—for critical, open-access research
in plant-based and cell-based protein.
Over
the next few months, we will dive into each project with the scientists
leading the charge. Today we start off in the U.S., where technologist
and ocean entrepreneur Beth Zotter is researching a unique source of
plant-based protein: red seaweed. Red seaweed has a high protein content
and a remarkable umami flavor. Its “red-meat like attributes” are
perfectly fit for alternative protein products.
Zotter
and her team at Trophic LLC are creating a method of protein extraction
specifically for seaweed. They aim to test different protein
concentrates to find the best fit based on cost and quality, as well as
to characterize the taste and texture of different species. Zotter is
transforming the possibilities for seaweed. She spoke to us about how
the plant “can feed the world,” the importance of nori, and even a
species that tastes like bacon.
What about seaweed is most exciting to you?
Humans
have been eating seaweeds for thousands of years, but for those of us
who weren’t raised in Asian food culture, seaweed might seem like a
novel food product. When I compared the world record yield for soybeans
and seaweed, I was amazed to learn that seaweeds are capable of
producing five times as much protein per acre. I had to check my math a
few times. Seaweed can quite literally feed the world. And it’s
delicious. I’m starting to see a lot more people, especially kids,
gobbling up seaweed, and that gets me really excited.
What are the advantages of researching plant-based meat in the U.S.?
The
culture of entrepreneurship, especially here in the Bay Area. We have
many world-class biologists and chemists who tend to circulate in
early-stage biotech companies. They all have a mindset of pushing the
boundaries of science and technology, motivated by the power of making
something new with an impact.
Why did your team choose to work with red seaweed?
Red
seaweeds tend to have the highest protein levels, which is actually
responsible for the red color. We think the protein content and color
has some unique advantages for making meat alternatives.
How many species of red seaweed are you studying to find the optimal fit for protein functionality?
We
are starting with the species that are already commercially produced in
large volumes. At the same time, we are testing seaweeds such as dulse
that have high value as specialty food products. Dulse is famous for
tasting like bacon when it’s fried, but right now it’s mostly wild
harvested, making it more expensive than we would like for raw material.
However, our company is engineering high tech sea farms that could
potentially lower the cost of seaweed farming dramatically in the near
future. Next year we are deploying a $5M state-of-the-art farm 10 miles
off the coast of New Hampshire. I’d like to grow dulse.
Why does red seaweed already have a large global supply chain?
Red
seaweed has an already-established global supply chain of over 18
million tons per year. Most of the current production is grown to
extract agar and carrageenan for processed food products, where they
enhance gel strength. If you brushed your teeth this morning or ate ice
cream last night, you consumed a bit of seaweed as well. Both toothpaste
and ice cream often contain polysaccharides (carbohydrates) from red
seaweed, which are found in many foods and cosmetics as a thickening
agent. Agar also plays an important role in biological research. It is a
popular growth medium for microorganisms as the base lining in a Petri
dish. The next largest seaweed category by volume is nori. Nori is a red
seaweed with the highest measured protein content (up to 47 percent) of
any seaweed I know. Nori is common in Japanese cuisine in soups,
salads, and as a wrap for sushi rolls.
What unique food science experience does your team bring to the project?
We
have a number of people helping us out with a mix of experience in
algal chemistry, protein extraction, process engineering, and food
product development. Our lab is located in Berkeley, in the heart of the
Bay Area food tech ecosystem, which is great for tapping into the
wealth of insights for what features to look for. In addition to
protein, we’re evaluating the potential for other compounds to make a
protein concentrate more valuable as a food product. For example, many
seaweeds have vitamin B12. Wouldn’t it be great if we could keep that
essential nutrient for vegans in our product?
What do you anticipate the main challenges will be?
Making a product that meets the specifications of food product developers, at a cost point that is affordable. There are lots of sophisticated process techniques available in the lab. But unless those methods are scalable, it might not make sense to go down that path. There’s also the question of what to do with all the rest of the stuff besides the protein! Designing a process with valuable co-products is another priority for us.
Source: Good Food Institute
