Burcon NutraScience and Pristine Gourmet, with a co-investment from Protein Industries Canada ($250,000), are coming together to leverage Canada’s supply of sunflower seeds.
Through a total project investment of $973,000, Burcon and Pristine Gourmet are working together to determine how to best extract as much protein as possible from sunflower seeds.
Canada’s crop sector has helped drive growth within the country’s plant-based food and ingredients sector.
Protein derived, Canadian grown and processed sunflowers is added as Canada’s newest possibility of high-quality, sustainable ingredients.
Sunflower’s natural neutral colour and taste, along with its lack of allergens, makes it an ideal crop for the development of new ingredients.
Sunflower protein is primarily used in livestock feed and pet food.
Burcon and Pristine Gourmet will help increase the value and uses of the crop, creating the foundation for a wide variety of new plant-based foods and beverages.
Both companies will evaluate and optimize protein extraction techniques and processes, evaluate the protein difference between different sunflower meals, test sunflower protein samples in food applications and scale up their preferred processing method into a pilot plant.
This step into the new market will enable both companies to grow their operations, expand their market footprint and create new jobs in Canada.
This project is collaborative innovative research that will increase the value of one of Canada’s under-utilized crops, while strengthening the food supply chain and economy.
“This exciting project will pave the way for broader use of sunflowers in plant-based foods while ensuring the vibrant agri-food sector continues to innovate,” says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“Canadians will benefit by having more options for top-quality products, and local farmers and processors will be able to seize new business opportunities.”