Plant-based Protein

Only 20% of actual coffee is extracted from beans to produce coffee in its beverage form, leaving the remaining 80% (six million tons annually) deemed as spent coffee grounds (SCG) to be disposed or used in landfills or as non-food product components to make fertilisers, furniture, deodorisers or skin care products. A technology was created to counteract SCG wastage and valorise it for human consumption. This particular invention comprises of methodologies to create two types of ingredients using leftover SCG - oil-grind and water-grind processed SCG. A simple, reproducible method of conching is employed to convert leftover SCG into smooth pastes, where specific conching parameters help refine the SCG to an acceptable particle size, eliminating grittiness in numerous valorised products similar to SCG. The product utilises common ingredients like oil and water to conche SCG with improved taste and textural properties. The shelf stability and nutritional composition (including caffeine) of the ingredients were also validated to ensure the food possessed good sensorial properties and are scale up ready. This technology increases SCG’s potential use as a versatile ingredient in different food applications. The technology provider is seeking off-takers from food manufacturers, food services industry, companies interested to valorise side streams to turn SCG into edible compounds.

Collagen is a structural protein prevalent in the connective tissues of all organisms, and is the building block of biomaterial that is essential in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Through a patented extraction method, a novel Type I Amphibian collagen has been valorised from discarded skins, an agrifood waste stream and processed into a medical grade collagen biomaterial. The extracted pristine native amphibian collagen possesses unique properties, combining attributes associated with aquatic and land-based collagen sources, giving the extracted collagen more versatility than conventional sources of collagen. The Type I Amphibian collagen possesses a higher biocompatibility and water solubility as compared to mammalian sources of collagen, with a better thermostability profile, than marine sources of collagen. The technology provider has demonstrated the medical application of this extracted collagen by developing a range of specialised wound dressings, specifically designed for the management of chronic wounds. These dressing will significantly improve clinical outcomes and increase the rate of chronic wound closure.  The technology provider is looking for partnerships or collaborations to transform this pristine collagen into medical products. Additionally, with a pristine collagen extract, hydrolysing them into smaller fragments (collagen peptides) that can be customised to the needs of the partnership or collaboration, for the medical/cosmeceutical/nutraceutical industry. 

As one approaches their senior years, their bodies become less efficient at absorbing and using protein. This essential nutrient, plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass, bone health, and overall immune function. Seniors need approximately 1.1g/kg of protein of their body weight daily. Seniors who are suffering from chronic illnesses tend to eat smaller meal portions which means that their three meals will need to be fortified with protein to meet their daily requirement of an average of 70g of protein for a 65kg person. The company is searching for partners in the protein industry to support their product development efforts for ready to eat meals for the elderly. They have an established regular customer base and will be growing their operations regionally this year. The company is interested in potential collaboration with groups looking to commercialise relevant technologies and/or ingredient companies to co-develop products.

Eggs are a widely popular protein source, however, egg production requires a significant amount of natural resources. Hence, this technology aims to substitute chicken eggs with plant-based alternatives, which would lead to a reduced environmental impact. Rice bran is the hard outer layer of rice, a byproduct of the rice milling process which is pressed for oil and then discarded. Using rice bran as a source of protein reduces waste and increases resource efficiency, making it a strong potential candidate as an alternative protein source to be produced in Thailand, which is the 6th largest rice producer according to the FAO. This product is high in protein (comparable to chicken eggs), which is hydrolyzed to increase bioavailability, and does not contain cholesterol and saturated fat. It is fit for health and fitness enthusiasts, vegetarians, flexitarians and people with an egg allergy.

Diabetes is a prevalent and growing health problem worldwide, affecting 1 in 10 people, with 90% of cases being type 2 diabetes. Congenital diabetes also affects 1 in 6 live births. In the next 20 years, diabetes is projected to increase by 46%. More than half a billion people are affected globally, 400,000 of them are in Singapore and if nothing is done by 2050, there will be one million diabetics patients in Singapore.   The company offers two technical solutions in form of a blended powder format: 1) Low Glycaemic Index (GI) and 2) Low Glycaemic Index (GI) with added protein.   The blend is plant-based, a source of protein, high in dietary fibre and replaces sugar from 20% to 100% in recipes across various food and beverage applications, it is versatile, high solubility, no alternation to original taste.   The solution is primarily targeted at Food Service sectors operators and manufacturers who seeks to penetrate the reduced sugar food & beverage market.