The alternative in the protein world: pea protein

Unlike other common protein sources such as milk, soy or wheat proteins, pea protein Pisane is not on the list of potential allergens that have to be clearly mentioned on the food label.

19/09/08 Yellow peas belong to the group of leguminous and are known since centuries as a healthy vegetable food product. It has always been part of a balanced diet thanks to the absence of lipids and its high protein, starch and fibre content and it is incorporated in a wide range of food preparations.

Cosucra Groupe Warcoing offers Pisane pea protein, which is extracted from the yellow pea (Pisum sativum) by a gentle physical process, without the use of any chemical solvents. Peas are naturally selected (none of them is obtained by chemical or physical mutation). Pisane is a non-GMO protein and is naturally-sourced, offering clean labelling.

Indeed, unlike other common protein sources such as milk, soy or wheat proteins, pea protein Pisane is not on the list of potential allergens that have to be clearly mentioned on the food label. Egg, milk, peanuts and other nuts, wheat (gluten) and soy proteins are responsible for about 90% of food allergies. Allergenic potential of pea protein is far below the ones of many other proteins. Pea protein can be used as part of the formulation of “free from” products. Pea protein is one of the few vegetable protein sources without allergy, labelling or GM issues. On top of this, it’s better tolerated than soy and wheat.

A well-balanced source of protein
Proteins consist of a source of amino acids. Some of these amino acids are essential, which means that they cannot be produced by ourselves and that their supplementation by our nutrition is crucial.

The needs of these essential amino acids, established for infants from 2 to 5 years of age (FAO/WHO, 1989), are the base for the calculation of amino acid score (AAS) of a protein. This score is the percentage of the most limiting amino acid and enables us to tell whether a protein is close to the ideal profile or not.

The amino acid profile of Pisane is very well-balanced. Its minor lack of cysteine, methionine and tryptophane is compensated by its richness in arginine, lysine (mostly deficient in vegetable protein sources), as well as branched amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine). Its amino acid score is 0.84. On top of that, Pisane has a high digestibility. Its digestibility value is 98%, is as high as the one of milk protein. With 8.7g per 100g of protein, Pisane is the protein source with the highest level of arginine available. Arginine is required for muscle metabolism. It facilitates the intake of body mass while reducing body fat. Lysine, which is another amino acid pea protein is rich in, is needed for building protein muscle and assists in the maintenance of lean body mass. Therefore its particular amino acid profile makes Pisane a very valuable protein for sports nutrition and weight control food.

Solution for calorie intake management
Vegetable proteins have been used for years within the dietetic food sector in weight control snacks and meal substitutes. They are not stored as fat in the body and are not related with cholesterol. Moreover, many clinical studies have shown that high-protein foods have a positive impact on satiety by enhancing the feeling of fullness and by increasing the delay of the next food intake. High-protein foods also lead to reduced energy intake during within the next meal. In addition to all the scientific background on proteins and satiety, a recent study conducted by Leatherhead Food International has specifically demonstrated that Pisane, pea protein produced by Cosucra Groupe Warcoing has a significant effect on satiety.

Functional & cost effective
Proteins are great ingredients: they emulsify, stabilize and give texture to food. This means it becomes increasingly important to have the latest info on alternative proteins, especially when they can replace animal based proteins. Protein replacement is not easy, a good match needs to be found and the influence on functionality and flavour cannot be significant. Cosucra Groupe Warcoing developed a series of applications where recipes can be optimised in terms of cost. In some cases even a replacement of 100% can be obtained, which allows the use of ‘free from’ claims in many cases.

Pisane, pea protein isolate can replace 10-100% animal proteins in many food products. without impacting colour, taste or texture of the product. This way a significant recipe cost impact can be obtained in for example milkshakes, fudge bars or savoury products. Due to its high emulsifying properties and its medium viscosity, the pea protein isolate Pisane is a protein of choice for the meat industry. It can be used in cold emulsified meat products (like meat or poultry sausages), as well as in restructured applications (nuggets, Kiev’s, hamburgers…) or in hot emulsified products (pâtés, vegetable spreads). It helps to stabilise the recipes, to improve yields and to increase protein level at low cost.

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