Burcon NutraScience Corp. announced on April 12 that it has received a co-investment from Proteins Industries Canada for the development of high-quality protein ingredients from sunflower seeds. The $1 million project will bring Burcon to partner with Pristine Gourmet, a 100% pure, cold-pressed Canadian non-GMO virgin oil processor to further develop Burcon's new process.

Burcon said the premium sunflower protein isolate that contains more than 90% protein purity and has exceptional flavor and functionality has the potential to set a new benchmark in the growing market for herbal ingredients. Taking advantage of Burcon's main protein extraction and purification platform, the project aims to improve and expand an economic extraction and isolation process resulting from the by-product (pressed pie) of sunflower oil production.

"Sunflower protein meets all requirements as an ideal source of plant-based protein," said Peter H. Kappel, interim CEO and Chairman of burcon's board. "With this investment, Burcon and Pristine Gourmet can accelerate the development of premium value-added protein ingredients from a by-product commonly used as animal feed."

Protein Industries Canada's co-investment further supports Canadian innovation in the development of state-of-the-art food technologies and patent-pending processes to develop products that are unique in the global vegetable protein market.

Source: Agrolink