Most people have never heard of it, but “RuBisCO” (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) is a crucial enzyme for photosynthesis. More than 90% of the inorganic carbon that is converted into biomass is fixed by the enzyme. It’s considered the most abundant protein on Earth, as well as one of the most critical because it’s so essential for photosynthesis and the food chain. A new brand of ingredient makers think RuBisCO might also be the “holy grail” of plant-based proteins and are extracting it from a variety of crops, including alfalfa and duckweed.
Most companies developing so-called “alternative proteins” have focused on the meat replacement sector. While RuBisCO protein can serve that function, most ingredient makers are just as excited about other properties -its ability to emulsify, foam, and mix – that are highly desirable in the food manufacturing industry.
Traditionally, legumes such as soybeans and peas are the most important plant protein sources are the most important plant protein sources. However, these commercial plant-based proteins are usually considered nutritionally inferior to their animal counterparts due to the lack of essential amino acids, and the presence of allergens, anti-nutrients, and off-flavors. But RuBisCO is a “complete” protein, meaning it has all nine essential amino acids. This is why its functional properties are similar to animal-derived proteins.
Despite its superior qualities, RuBisCO is not a readily available ingredient, at least not yet. Scientists have known about the protein and understood its functions and benefits for decades. However, extracting the protein in a cost-effective way while maintaining its properties and functions has proved challenging.
A handful of startups have taken on that challenge and are currently racing to commercialize RuBisCO extraction. Two of those companies, “Plantible Foods” and “Leaft Foods,” are close to launching products.
Plantible Foods: After closing a $30 million funding round late last year, Plantible Foods is considered the leader in the RuBisCO extraction space. The San Diego-based company’s first commercial facility in Eldorado, Texas is now fully functional and can produce hundreds of metric tons of the protein per year. The company extracts RuBisCO from duckweed (lemna) and has developed branded ingredient lines called Rubi Whisk and Rubi Prime. Duckweed, also known as water lentils, are free-floating, naturally occurring freshwater aquatic plants, which combine to form a green carpet on the surface of water. Its considered the fastest-growing plant in the world with a doubling rate of two to three days. Plantible grows its duckweed on controlled aquafarms. Once the plants are harvested, they are milled, filtered and dried so that the pure protein can be extracted from the plant’s leaves. The final product is an off-white and odorless protein that can grow anywhere in the world and contains all nine essential amino acids. The company says its Rubi Protein is free from 20 allergens and comprises 85% protein, and offers functional benefits like emulsifying, gelling, and fat-binding, helping reduce the reliance on saturated fats, egg whites, and methylcellulose. Learn more at Plantible’s website HERE.
Leaft Foods: This New Zealand company has raised $28 million total and is currently at what they call the “commercial demonstration stage” where they are producing tens of tons of protein concentrate per month. The company plans to ramp that up to hundreds of tons per month and being selling its “Leaft Blade” product directly to consumers. Leaft Blade is a gel smoothie that contains 17 grams of RuBisCO leaf protein and marketed toward performance athletes. Rather than growing its own source product like Plantible, Leaft has contracted with alfalfa farmers, which the company calls an “incredibly abundant” crop that can produce nearly six tons of protein per hectare. They’ve partnered with both large multinationals and smaller agile companies for market entry. Leaft tells AgFunder that those partnerships are confidential at this stage but did reveal that they are mainly concentrated in the dairy and bakery categories and “it’s highly likely that you’ll see our RuBisCO protein in market with some of those partners within 12 months.” Visit Leaft Foods website HERE.
“Day 8” and “Rubisco Foods” are the other key players in the space, but don’t seem to be as far along in the commercialization stage. Day 8 is focused on extracting RuBisCO from agricultural waste streams, while Rubisco extracts the protein from both alfalfa and duckweed. (Sources: AgFunder, Food Navigator, Food Engineering Magazine)
