Burcon Develops Pea Protein Isolate

Burcon also announces that it is engaged in discussions with a potential partner to commercialize Peazazz and the associated protein extraction technology.

Nov 17 2011 --- Burcon NutraScience Corporation announces that it has developed a novel pea protein isolate. Burcon has branded this new protein as Peazazz.

Peazazz is 100% soluble and transparent in low pH solutions with clean flavour characteristics and is heat stable permitting hot fill applications.  Burcon’s Peazazz could be used in a variety of healthy and flavourful consumer product applications and should be of interest to companies looking for a great tasting functional alternative plant protein ingredient.

Pea protein is a relatively new, vegetable-based, functional protein ingredient valued for its emulsifying properties.  Pea proteins currently available in the market are sold for use in a variety of food products including: snacks and cereals; diet products (high protein foods); gluten-free and vegetarian and vegan foods.

“Burcon is a leader in nutrition, health and wellness in the field of functional, renewable plant proteins and today’s announcement further demonstrates Burcon’s capability.” said Johann F. Tergesen, Burcon’s President and C.O.O. adding, “Our team of scientists and engineers has once again proven their ability to push the envelope in developing unique plant protein ingredients with our first protein from a source other than oilseeds.  Our new Peazazz protein offers yet another platform for Burcon to monetize our technology.”

Burcon also announces that it is engaged in discussions with a potential partner to commercialize Peazazz and the associated protein extraction technology.  In that regard, Burcon has entered into a confidentiality and material transfer agreement to facilitate these discussions.

Burcon has filed patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to protect its newly developed novel processes for the production of pea protein isolates, as well as to protect Peazazz, the product derived therefrom, and to protect the functional and nutritional applications of Peazazz as an ingredient in consumer products.  Consistent with Burcon’s previous patents and patent applications, Burcon has also filed for protection internationally under the patent cooperation treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organization to protect these new inventions.  As at the date of this announcement, Burcon now has 174 issued patents worldwide including 30 issued U.S. patents, and in excess of 300 additional patent applications, 70 of which are U.S. patent applications.