Pixabay
Pixabay

Canadian food tech company Burcon NutraScience has developed a canola-based egg replacement for use in bakery applications.

Derived from non-genetically modified (GM) Canadian-grown canola seeds, Burcon said its canola protein isolate product Puratein had a complete amino acid profile, high solubility and neutral flavour.

Studies had shown that the canola protein could replace up to 100% of powdered and shelled eggs, the company said on 7 October.

“The food industry has long sought a plant-based alternative to egg protein. Our canola protein not only serves as a replacement in traditional food applications but also enables the creation of more sustainable plant-based alternatives, expanding new application possibilities.” Burcon CEO Kip Underwood said.

Aimed at the food and drink sector, Vancouver-based Burcon’s patent portfolio comprises plant-based proteins derived from pea, canola, soyabean, hemp, sunflowerseed and other plant sources.

Valued at US$1.3bn in 2022, the egg replacement market has surged in recent years and is forecast to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 6.5% from 2023 to 2032, according to data from Global Market Insights quoted in a 23 October Food Dive report.