Angel Yeast responds to the UNEP COP28 call for animal-free protein with microbial fermentation

15 Dec 2023 --- Yeast protein derived through microbial fermentation may offer a sustainable, scalable and reliable alternative to both animal and plant-based protein, says yeast manufacturer Angel Yeast. The protein, fat, dietary fiber and water-rich nutrient could be the answer to the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) call at COP28 for new protein solutions.

“It is well understood that switching to a more diverse diet would benefit people, nature, the climate and animals themselves,” says Inger Andersen, executive director of the UNEP, in her speech at the COP28.

“We must look at our options, which is what this report does by exploring novel plant-based meats, cultivated meat from animal cells and alternatives produced through rapid fermentation.” 

“Angel Yeast is spearheading the critical R&D initiative of Hubei Province, China, titled ‘Research and application development of key technology of yeast protein.’ The company is pioneering the introduction of yeast protein — a micro-protein — into diets, which is a big step in our mission toward reducing our carbon footprint,” comments Zhang Yan, dean of the research institute of Angel Yeast.

The benefits of microbial yeast
As a response to Andersen’s speech and the UNEP report, Angel Yeast highlights their yeast protein synthesized through the culturing, fermenting and centrifuging Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer’s or baker’s yeast, to collect raw bacterial material. 

The company’s yeast protein is a complete protein with nine essential amino acids, which makes it a suitable substitute for plant and animal-derived proteins without using GMOs. 

Yeast protein is a complete protein with nine essential amino acids, which make it a suitable substitute for plant and animal-derived proteins.Yeast protein has a slightly higher branched-chain amino acid content than whey protein, making it beneficial for muscle recovery. Angel Yeast’s product may support intestinal health,  as it boasts a higher dietary fiber content than whey protein. As a slow-digestion protein, it offers the steady provision of amino acids to the body. 

In the US, yeast protein is approved for sale as a nutritional supplement. In the EU, Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein is approved as a new raw food material with no consumption limit.

Yeast protein production 
Angel Yeast utilizes tech solutions to mass-produce high-purity yeast proteins. These serve as ingredients in seasonings, meat products, plant-based meat, dairy products and other nutritional function products.

The company’s annual yeast protein production capacity is 10,000 tons, and there are plans to establish an additional production line with a yearly capacity of 10,000 tons. 

In her COP28 speech, Andersen highlighted the UNEP’s recent “What’s Cooking” report, which offers an assessment of the potential impacts of selected novel alternatives to conventional animal products. 

The report’s section on fermentation-derived products cites studies on the environmental impacts of novel food products from precision and biomass fermentation to suggest that they have an overall lower land and water use than conventionally produced proteins. At the same time, the report also points out that the potential for greenhouse gas emissions is highly dependent on the type of energy used in the production process. 

Yeast protein production involves low water consumption, does not take up much arable land and has a small carbon footprint overall. Wastewater can be used as organic yeast fertilizer for crops. 

By Milana Nikolova