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Angel Yeast, a specialist yeast extract supplier, is bringing nutritional yeast protein to a market seeking more protein options. Food & Beverage Industry News reports.
Many consumers are always looking for newer and better sources of protein and in recent years the consumer base has started to pivot away from protein supplementation due in large part to the limitations around plant-based sources, particularly for the many who demand natural, clean label ingredients.
The demand for protein, from a range of sources, also continues to grow as the global population does, with research showing a 5.3 per cent growth in the global protein market between 2017 and 2022s.
Here's where yeast comes in.
The fact that yeast protein is a natural, clean label ingredient that doesn’t contain genetically modified organisms (GMO) is central to its appeal to consumers, based on the experience of those at Angel Yeast.
This is a major benefit when you see the figures showing over 50 per cent of respondents in the above-mentioned study said they make their buying decisions based on wanting to eat cleaner and healthier.
A Food Supplements Europe survey of 13,200 people across 14 European countries found 67 per cent of people read the ingredient lists on supplement labels, and 56 per cent of people base their purchasing decisions on whether a product is labelled as organic, natural, or GMO.
This level of scrutiny is having an impact on market dynamics and is relevant as Europe leads the market for launches of clean label foods and beverages.
In terms of animal proteins, some of the key limitations relate to the rapid rise of veganism, vegetarianism, and flexitarianism.
A Smart Protein Project survey also found that almost 40 per cent of people planned to consume less meat, and 30 per cent of respondents were actively reducing their dairy consumption.
Meanwhile, people who consumed exclusively plant-based diets made up 7 per cent of the dataset and a further 30 per cent of people followed a flexitarian diet.
The figures seem to represent a barrier to the growth of products that include proteins derived from animals, and whey proteins which are the current 'gold standard'.
Angel Yeast sought to solve this dilemma by researching and developing a protein source that is affordable, sustainable, eco-friendly, and as nutritious as animal protein.
Plant proteins
One way the industry has responded to the concerns about animal proteins is through the extraction of proteins from soy, pea, hemp, rice, and other plants.
Yet, plant proteins also have their own clean label problems.
Proteins such as wheat, soy, and pea use large swathes of land for cultivation, vary in cost and availability depending on the weather, and for some consumers raise concerns about heavy metals, pesticide residues, and GMOs.
Plant proteins also fall short of the amino acid content, digestibility, and protein synthesis capacity of whey, with research showing that they can’t match the composition and effects of animal proteins.
Across multiple studies, researchers have shown that plant-based proteins lack essential amino acids and leucine and may also be incompletely digested in the gut, leading to negative effects on metabolism and immune responses.
The limitations of animal and plant- based proteins has left many consumers, with evolving demands, without a large variety of choices.
For the large number of consumers who want healthy, clean label products there have been two options: use animal proteins despite their concerns about the environment, animal welfare, and contamination; or use a plant-based protein with a suboptimal profile that has its own sustainability and health issues.
Now, consumers have a third option: yeast protein.
Yeast protein addresses an unmet need
Nutritional yeast is often sold as a food product and marketed for its effect on the immune system and gut health.
This deactivated form of yeast has other important properties though. Angel Yeast is bringing those properties to the bodybuilding market with AngeoPro.
The microbial fermentation process used to make AngeoPro is both sustainable and scalable, unlike the crops grown for plant-based proteins, and delivers a reliable, guaranteed supply of protein regardless of variables such as the weather. Immediately addressing sustainability of production concerns.
The resulting yeast protein is natural, healthy, and has a neutral taste.
Yeast protein has nutritional benefits, too. Because it is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids, advocates of yeast protein argue it is the best substitute for plant and animal protein.
AngeoPro is also free from the allergen concerns associated with some plant proteins, such as soy, and can meet the demand for products with a clean label.
It is extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a species commonly known as brewer's or baker's yeast and has a similar digestibility value to whey protein.
Containing more than 70 per cent high quality protein, AngeoPro has a similar digestibility and leucine content to whey protein and, as a "slow protein," it provides a slow and continuous supply of amino acids.
Thus, addressing some of the shortfalls in more traditional modes of protein mentioned above.
With a high content of protein of more than 80 per cent, Angel Yeast's multifunctional protein addresses the limitations of existing animal and plant- based options.
The attributes, coupled to higher total BCAA content than whey protein, show AngeoPro is comparable to the gold standard animal protein and superior to plant-based proteins.
For bodybuilders, the attributes of AngeoPro translate into muscle gain, as Angel Yeast demonstrated in a double-blind, randomised controlled trial in 79 healthy adults aged over 40 years in Australia.
Subjects in the study received 40g of AngeoPro, whey protein, or placebo a day and participated in a resistance training program that targeted major muscle groups for eight weeks.
In subjects with inadequate dietary protein intake, AngeoPro and whey protein significantly increased lean mass and muscle strength compared to placebo.
The yeast protein matched the gold standard, with the max bench press increasing by 5.78kg and 5.77kg, respectively, in the two active treatment arms. In the placebo group, the max bench press increased by 2.59kg.
The study provides clinical validation of AngeoPro, revealing the yeast protein to be as effective as the gold standard animal protein at increasing muscle mass in conjunction with exercise in older adults.
The data differentiate AngeoPro from less effective forms of plant protein.
Yeast protein in foods and beverages
AngeoPro's attributes support its use in products targeting the natural wellness market.
With its clean taste, yeast protein is used in high-protein bakery products, plant-based sauces, plant-based meat, beverages, and other foods and drinks aimed at people who want to naturally increase their muscles or are interested in nutritional value, digestion, absorption, amino acid score, and more.
A clinical trial of AngeoPro indicated that the product is as effective as the gold standard animal protein at increasing muscle mass and strength in conjunction with exercise in older adults.
Also, the wide range of applications creates opportunities for brands across the food and beverage industry to target bodybuilders and other people who want to increase their consumption of protein.
By leveraging the benefits AngeoPro has over both animal and plant proteins, manufacturers can now provide natural, clean label products without compromising on muscle-enhancing performance.
Ultimately, Angel Yeast Protein is a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and nutritious food substance that provides an effective protein source and contributes to closing the protein gap.
The study's results showed that yeast protein is a slow-digesting protein.
Slow-digesting proteins can provide a stable flow of amino acids to prevent muscle tissue breakdown.
The researchers found that the amino acids contained in yeast protein have characteristics that are unmatched by general vegetable proteins.
Angel Yeast Protein is a sustainable, environmentally friendly and nutritious food substance that provides an effective protein source and contributes to closing the protein gap.
About Angel Human Health：
Specialized in yeast and fermentation, AHH is committed to developing innovative, differentiated, science-based functional ingredients and customized solutions, to help our customers get enduring success, as well as contribute to a healthier and sustainable world together.
About Angel:
Angel Yeast Company is a high-tech listed company specializing in yeast and biotech. Product business covers Yeast and Baking, Yeast Extract-Savoury, Nutrition & Health and Biotechnology fields. It is one of the world's leading companies in the yeast industry. Angel has 12 holding subsidiaries and provides products and services for more than 150 countries and regions.
Press Contact:
ANGEL YEAST CO., LTD
Address: 168 Chengdong Avenue, Yichang, Hubei 443003, P. R.China
Tel: +86 717 6369570
Email: Nutritech@angelyeast.com
