Companies using AI to develop novel protein ingredients via fermentation

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Minerals company ICL Food Specialties (St. Louis) and startup firm Protera Biosciences (Providencia, Chile) are partnering to develop protein ingredients. Protera uses AI technology to develop novel proteins. In 2021, ICL invested in Protera via its ICL Planet Startup Hub through which ICL invests in and collaborates with foodTech and agriTech companies.

The companies will use precision fermentation to develop and commercialize “sustainable, protein-based ingredients.” According to the companies’ press release, “These clean-label ingredients will address current market demands and offer a replacement for chemical additives or less-appealing ingredients.”

Protera’s Madi “deep-learning platform” is said to “predict and match the structure and functionality of vegetable proteins.” The press release explains, “It designs proteins from a database of more than 1.5 billion edible protein sequences and applies precision fermentation parameters for producing them.” This includes novel protein ingredients.

“Thanks to this collaboration, we can offer novel ingredients via breakthrough technology currently not available in the market,” said Hadar Sutovsky, ICL’s vice president of external innovation, and general manager of ICL Planet, in the press release.