Technology expert in plant-based protein development, Burcon NutraScience Corporation, has pinned down a US$1 million co-investment from Proteins Industries Canada to develop protein ingredients from sunflower seeds.

Burcon will partner with Pristine Gourmet – a processor of Canadian non-GMO cold-pressed virgin oils – to further develop its process for the production of sunflower protein ingredients. 

Premium sunflower protein isolate that contains more than 90% protein purity and this functionality is anticipated to set a new benchmark in the rapidly expanding plant-based ingredients market.

“Sunflower protein checks all the boxes as an ideal source of plant-based protein. With this investment, Burcon and Pristine Gourmet can accelerate the development of value-added premium protein ingredients,” says Peter Kappel, interim CEO, Burcon.

Sunflower oil purification platform
Leveraging Burcon’s core protein extraction and purification platform, the project intends to fine-tune and scale up an economical extraction and isolation process arising from sunflower oil production’s by-product (pressed cake).

Burcon has an extensive patent portfolio of plant-based proteins derived from pea, canola, soy, hemp, sunflower seed, among other plant sources.

Nestlé collaborated with Burcon and Merit, two key players in developing and producing high-quality plant proteins. The partnership accelerated Nestlé’s development of nutritious plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.Burcon’s extraction technology gives sunflower seed proteins a premium nutritional profile.

Protein Industries Canada’s co-investment will support innovation in developing food technologies and patent-pending processes to develop the product.

“Canada’s plant-based food and ingredients sector has seen tremendous growth over the past several years, largely due to the innovation shown by our entrepreneurs and researchers. The development of new ingredients, processing technologies, and food products is key to seeing this growth continue,” says Bill Greuel, CEO, Protein Industries Canada.

Taste profile optimization
Sunflower protein ingredients have a favorable taste profile, low allergenicity, are label-friendly and easily understood by consumers. Sunflower seed, the third-largest oilseed crop globally behind soy and canola, has potential to be a significant source of protein in the plant-based sector. 

Sunflower seed proteins produced using Burcon’s extraction technology have a premium nutritional profile and functional characteristics similar to canola protein. 

“As our companies work together to bring these developments from idea to full-scale implementation, Canadians can look forward to a strengthened economy, new healthy and sustainable options on grocery store shelves and an increased ability to meet the growing global demand for plant-based protein,” says Greuel.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its third month, sunflower oil was among the impacted food commodities resulting from the metacrisis.