The plant-based salmon-like cut is uniquely crafted to take on the appearance, colour, texture, and flavour of smoked salmon, yet without the ocean pollutants that living fish are commonly exposed to. These include compounds such as mercury, fossil fuels, and industrial waste. Composed of 100 percent pure, fresh, minimally processed spirulina, it is a clean-label product and is 40 percent complete protein.
To advance this initiative, an agreement for strategic cooperation was signed between the Israeli Innovation Authority, SimpliiGood, and FoodNxt—the innovation lab established by global food, beverage, nutraceutical, and fragrances industry leader IFF. SimpliiGood provides the raw material and texture and colour qualities, while IFF contributes the flavour and aroma attributes. The product is expected to hit the market by the end of 2023. In 2020, the global sales value of salmon amounted to approximately 13 billion euros.
SimpliiGood specialises in cultivating and harvesting the highly esteemed fresh blue-green algae, as well as producing a range of spirulina-centred food products. The new salmon analog will join a series of existing spirulina-based SimpliiGood branded products marketed in Israel to food producers and directly to consumers. Its current portfolio encompasses a range of meat substitutes, including hamburgers and chicken nuggets, as well as popsicles, ice cream, crackers, and beverages where spirulina serves either as the base ingredient or as nutritional enrichment.
'Our spirulina can act as a complete replacement for animal-based protein or be easily integrated into existing food products as an added-value ingredient, as it has a neutral flavour and maintains its full nutritional value,' says Lior Shalev, CEO and Co-founder of Algaecore. 'This project marks an exciting milestone in our company's product line expansion as we enter the fish substitute market.' In the first phase, the company will focus on producing a pure, spirulina-based smoked salmon analog, with plans to expand to additional fish analogs in the future.
Spirulina is heralded as one of the most nutrient-dense plant-based forms of protein on the planet, being a naturally rich source of whole protein, plus antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins, (including B12), and minerals, especially iron. The spirulina market is relatively young and is dominated by dried and powdered forms of the ingredient. SimpliiGood cultivates and markets a specific strain of 100 percent raw fresh spirulina that boasts 90 percent bioavailability, making it a powerful addition to any food application.
Mr Shalev reveals that the new, salmon-like creation is based on two IP-protected technological breakthroughs developed by the algae innovators. The first applies to its texturisation platform for forming salmon-like chunks solely from spirulina and have the same mouthfeel as the animal form. Its orange, salmon-like hue has been expressed through identifying and isolating the native beta carotene pigment naturally present in spirulina.
From greenhouse-to-fork, sustainably
'The spirulina SimpliiGood cultivates is one of the most efficient converters of sun energy into protein,' adds Mr Shalev. 'Spirulina requires salt, minerals, heat, CO2, and water to thrive. The process of growing spirulina actually captures carbon and uses it to grow. The strain that the animal food industry places on the environment and food security has elevated the need to develop sustainable protein substitutes. We are excited to collaborate with these leading global food industry players to bring a tasty and highly nutritious product to consumers worldwide, without harming animals or the planet,' Mr Shalev concludes.
For more information about SimpliiGood visit the website, HERE.
For information about IFF visit the website, HERE.
The Aquaculturists
No comments:
Post a Comment