21st.BIO obtains self-affirmed GRAS status for beta-lactoglobulin in US
Precision fermentation platform provider 21st.BIO has earned a self-affirmed GRAS status for its animal-free beta-lactoglobulin ingredient, BLG Essential+, which means customers can now launch in the United States market. This comes less than two years after 21st.BIO initiated its development of a strain and production process for its beta-lactoglobulin protein.
The predominant protein in bovine whey, beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) has attracted considerable food-producer interest for its high-quality nutrition and advantageous properties in food product formulation. Its nutritional profile is impressive, offering a larger amount of essential and branched-chain amino acids than whey. For example, BLG contains 45% more leucine than commercially available whey protein isolates, which is particularly important for muscle synthesis. BLG is tasteless, stable across a wide pH range and can tolerate heat, making it the ideal ingredient for versatile product formulations, from clear protein drinks to alternative dairy or bakery products.
21st.BIO expects its customers’ own production of beta-lactoglobulin to be incorporated into the formulation of foods such as baked goods and alternative dairy products, as well as nutritional products for active or sports nutrition, weight management, and clinical and elderly nutrition.
Companies engaged in 21st.BIO’s development programme can now commercialise their own production of BLG Essential+ in the US market. Through 21st.BIO, customers gain access to the production strains and precision fermentation processes, and optimisations. Furthermore, 21st.BIO is supporting customers in upscaling their production up to full-scale ingredient production. The company’s customer base spans food-tech start-ups to large food ingredients manufacturers. BLG Essential+ is the first food protein out of a portfolio of protein ingredients that 21st.BIO will take to the market.
With a strong track record and productive microorganisms licensed from Novonesis (formerly Novozymes), 21st.BIO is bringing solutions to market at an unprecedented pace, enabling customers to bypass years of development and market approval for direct entry into the US market. “We bring our customers access to technology and skills they could not get anywhere else,” says 21st.BIO co-founder and CSO Per Falholt.
