The Human Requirement for Protein

Protein is an essential dietary requirement that is traditionally obtained from animal-derived meat and dairy products, seafood, nuts and legumes, and, in many cultures, from insects. 

Depending on individual age and activity levels, between 10-35% of daily calorific intake should come from protein-based foodstuffs. Farmed protein sources are resource intensive and create a considerable carbon footprint, as well as infrastructure demands. 

As the global food supply chain faces increasing challenges from climate change and population growth, highly advanced - and environmentally friendly - precision-fermentation methods are creating new animal‑identical proteins with the potential to transform the world’s food industries. 

A Quick Overview of Precision Fermentation Technologies

The creation of next generation proteins via precision fermentation is achieved through the use of breakthrough technologies and involves some of the most talented scientists in the AgTech and FoodTech sectors. It’s not the purpose of this article to perform a deep dive into the science behind precision fermentation, but investors should have a solid grasp of the basic principles. 

Scientists begin by identifying the DNA sequence for a specific protein. They then insert the DNA into a carefully matched host, typically a yeast or filamentous fungi. The engineered microbe is grown in a bioreactor where it ferments under tightly controlled conditions and the completed protein is harvested. 

The development of AI was a major enabler for scientists who wanted to create animal proteins through fermentation. AI algorithms and machine learning are instrumental at each stage of protein design, microbe engineering, vector design, bioreactor control, and all subsequent downstream processes.  

Bioreactor fermentation is scalable up to industrial level and is delivering improved success metrics as companies adapt and innovate their technologies and methods. Protein yields and purity are improving, while costs per kilogram are falling. Regulatory compliance across diverse markets remains a challenge, but is being achieved. 

One of the most positive outcomes is the wide range of animal proteins that can now be produced through fermentation. These include whey, casein and egg whites, as well as collagen and heme (an essential ingredient that gives plant-based proteins an authentic meaty taste). Precision fermented proteins have game changing applications across the food chain and are replacing animal-derived proteins in foodstuffs as diverse as pasta, baked goods and ice cream. 

The precision fermentation is small, but is expanding. The fermentation processes are not fundamentally different to commercial beer brewing and there is enormous potential to develop “protein breweries”, run on a sustainable basis using smart factory technologies, and located close to consumer markets. The following companies offer a useful insight into the sector and demonstrate the technological innovation that is helping to transform the edible protein market. 

5 Companies at the Heart of Precision Fermentation Innovation

Codexis is a leader in the protein engineering field and uses its proprietary CodeEvolver® platform to revolutionize enzyme performance. Codexis utilizes AI and machine learning to design and screen thousands of variants of protein enzymes to select advanced properties for applications in the fields of food and pharma. Codexis engineered enzymes have enhanced the fermentation process of key ingredients in allulose and stevia sweeteners. As well as contributing to improved public health, the development of viable alternatives to sugar plays an important role in reducing the carbon footprint and deforestation associated with sugar cane farming.

ICL Group is one of the world’s leading specialty minerals companies and one of the largest manufacturers of fertilizers. In addition to developing advanced controlled release fertilizers and a range of green energy solutions, ICL Group is developing strategic partnerships with precision fermentation startups via its innovation arm ICL Planet Startup Hub. One groundbreaking biotech startup is Arkeon which uses microbes to convert CO₂ into edible proteins in a unique carbon-negative process. Protera Biosciences is another innovative startup that uses a proprietary platform to analyse edible protein sequences. Precision-fermented proteins can be utilized as ingredients to replace additives like texturizers, stabilizers, and preservatives

Evonik Industries is a major German chemicals company that is harnessing its technological expertise (and considerable infrastructure resources) to support precision fermentation operations. The company is particularly focused on developing enhanced amino acids for insect proteins and for aquaculture feed. Both protein sources can play an important role in a wider sustainable food chain and there are significant opportunities to disrupt existing markets. As well as advancing environmentally-friendly alternatives to animal-based ingredients, Evonik is also directing its R&D cluster Creavis to develop alternative proteins and alternatives to antibiotics, many of which are derived from precision fermentation processes. 

Ginkgo Bioworks specializes in using genetic engineering to produce functional bacteria. The company has positioned itself as a service provider, offering its “biofoundry” capacity to customers that require fermentation-ready microbes. Ginkgo’s strategic vision is to deliver solutions on demand that allow other companies to access their technologies and “program” biology as an alternative to building laboratories or making costly investments in their own platforms. Ginkgo operates a vast genomic and protein database and a capacity to deliver engineering across a variety of  bacteria, yeast, fungi, and mammalian cell requirements. The company also delivers valuable scalability via hundreds of bioreactors that can provide industrial level output. 

Archer-Daniels-Midland (usually just referred to as ADM) is an example of a major agricultural conglomerate that recognizes the potential of precision fermentation. ADM developed strategic partnerships with a variety of biotech firms and startups through its venture capital arm, substantially improving its reach in the precision fermentation and alternative protein sectors. Partnerships with companies like Geltor, Perfect Day and Nature’s Fynd are bringing advanced technological capabilities to ADM’s vast global infrastructure. The company can potentially create an unrivalled precision fermentation and alternative protein distribution network that makes a major impact on the global food supply chain..

Conclusion

Advances in precision fermentation technologies, ranging from AI algorithms to bioreactors, are transforming the sector and bringing next generation fermented proteins into the commercial mainstream. With the involvement of major industrial companies like ICL Group, ADM,  and Evonik there is real potential for new alternative protein ingredients to expand from current niche markets and begin replacing animal-derived proteins on a wider scale across the food industry.