Beer's Hidden Protein

Hi everyone and welcome to the interview and analysis corner! This week, we’re going to hear from our food-tech guru, alt-protein advocate, and biotech specialist: Eshan Samaranayake! 

He’s giving us his thoughts on a super interesting Canadian company that he’s been looking into and their work to “upcycle” used grains from beer production to make a new form of protein.

Let’s dig in.

Hi there, Eshan speaking.

Last week, I took a deep dive into a company that has been doing some incredible work in the food waste space. 

Terra Bioindustries (“Terra”) is a Toronto-based start-up that is making the food supply chain more sustainable by transforming the spent grain that has been used in beer production into other, usable protein-filled products.

The Process

To put it simply, the spent grain - that is bought from brewers, grain processors and food manufacturers - is put through a low-enzymatic process that separates the grain into edible sugars and proteins.  

Just as a reference, this is what the grains look like before being processed 👇️ 

After the grain is separated, you’re left with two products: a solid, powder-like protein called “Protina” and a golden liquid called “Recyclose”. 

Recyclose

Otherwise known as the “golden child”, Recyclose is essentially a kind of barley syrup that is made up of simple sugars like glucose, C5, and C6 and can be easily used for fermenting foods. 

At the moment Terra Bioindustries is testing the product as a sweetener in foods.

Protina

According to Terra’s Chief Marketing Officer, Rebecca Palmer, this is the most “sustainable plant-based protein on the planet”. 

And since it’s barley-based, it can either be used in baked goods or be added to existing plant-based products for extra protein. 

Pricing

One of the important questions people, including myself, ask about any new tech is “how will it affect my budget”?

While Terra focuses more on Business-to-Business sales, the good news is that both Protina and Recyclose will function as a natural binder and colourant, helping food producers cut costs and, as a result, make your food cheaper!

And in a food inflation crisis, this really is fantastic. 

Practical Use

Despite “Protina” and “Recyclose” sounding quite “tech-y”, they have tremendously healthy properties. 

Protina, for example, is extremely protein-rich and can be put into bread, cereal, granola, and other breakfast items. 

It’s basically a protein supplement made from grains that would have just been thrown in the trash.

Starting With A “Who”?

Food waste is a huge issue as it contributes to about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and costs the global economy about $940 BILLION each year. 

But when it comes to solving the issue, Terra tries to balance innovation and technical expertise with an element of storytelling. 

The founders, Ricardo and Steve, are very active on social platforms and are very keen on sharing their stories with their audience.

Ricardo frequently cites his firsthand experience with food insecurity in Mexico City and his shock at the frequent wastefulness while living in Canada.

Steve, on the other hand, places his children at the forefront of everything he does. That’s something that I haven’t seen from tech companies and a trait I really admire. 

Instead of starting with a “what”, the team at Terra starts with a “for whom” and that’s something that, I feel, deserves a lot of respect.

What’s Next For Terra?

Terra is launching a $2.5 million seed round to help get Recyclose and Protina on the market this year! 

The Canada-based company will be working with grain farmers and ethanol producers in Ontario to make sure that their upcycled grain gets off the ground. 

My Thoughts

As someone in the biotech space, I am always impressed by start-ups who are able to create something nutritious and valuable out of things that would have otherwise gone to waste.

And, while a protein powder, like Protina, will be huge in helping the plant-based cause, I am particularly excited to see the future for the fermentation liquid - Recyclose - as finding cheaper alternatives to pure glucose is a red-hot topic right now.

Whatever the case may be, I am eager to see Terra make significant contributions to the field of food waste and plant-based food.

Oh and I got permission from Gregory to say “Food Jungle approved ✅” (hah) so I’m gonna take that opportunity!