Design and testing of neoproteins with optimized nutritional value, according to needs, avoiding their degradation - thus maintaining a high production yield - and aggregation (which could make them indigestible). Neoproteins are produced and characterized in plant systems as bioreactors. We have already created zeolin, formed by the fusion of a bean seed protein with a portion of a maize seed protein. Zeolin has a more balanced essential amino acid composition than the two proteins of origin. We are studying further neoproteins, some based on the strategy used for zeolin, others based on different strategies. The results indicate that these neoproteins are produced in high amount in plant bioreactors.
This technology can be used for creating and producing any kind of protein or peptide for food purposes, or involved in food processing.
Our technology can be exploited in the agri-food and nutraceutical sectors, by companies that produce foods which are marketed for particularly sensitive consumers. As example, the technology can be used to create hypoallergenic proteins, since some seed proteins widely used in the human diet are allergenic.
Furthermore, ad hoc designed food neoproteins can also be produced in plant cell culture bioreactors and, following extraction and purification, be part of formulation ingredients of the food of the future.