Upcycling sunflower seeds: Ingredient innovator, Planetarians targets the plant protein landscape

15 Aug 2018 --- Shifting consumer preferences for healthier choices are driving the demand for plant-based proteins, which are growing at a rapid rate. The plant-based food market is growing at double-digit rates and expected to reach US$5.2 billion worldwide by 2020, according to Nestlé and rising prices for plant-based proteins are forcing food manufacturers to identify opportunities and sustainable ingredients to address this consumer demand. That focus has created a robust marketplace for functional, and value-added components, including that of sunflower seeds, according to Planetarians, an ingredient company who claim to be “revolutionizing the plant-protein landscape through upcycling defatted seeds.”

Defatted sunflower seeds fed to cattle currently have more protein (35 percent) by weight than we get back from beef (26 percent), according to Planetarians, who saw an opportunity in this space.

Defatted seeds are the dry matter that’s left after oil extraction from crops grown for their oil, such as sunflower, canola and cotton seeds. On average, 20 pounds of defatted seeds are created for every gallon of extracted oil. 

The world's supply of defatted sunflower seeds in 2017 was 19.02 million metric tons according to the USDA (5 percent of the feed grade protein meal market). Historically, defatted seeds have only been used in animal feed. However, defatted sunflower seeds repurposed into human food can provide consumers with a cheap, clean, sustainable source of plant-based protein and add value to supplier profits. 

Repurposing defatted sunflower seeds from animal to human consumption unlocks a US$311 million added value market and a US$1 billion market by 2037, says the company. 

The discarded parts of plants may contain as much protein as beef or chicken breast. Oil-crop meal is the by-product of the oil extraction process, while the financial value of the seed lies in the extracted oil, the meal is considered an unwanted by-product. Meal from oil-crops is usually used as a livestock feed for ruminants, like cows.

Planetarians snacks are claimed to have three times more protein, twice the fiber and three times less fat per serving than typical potato chips.

Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Aleh Manchuliantsau, Founder and CEO of Planetarians says: “We are working on shifting all-purpose flour to the next level. By using defatted seeds to make flour, we can keep the good, reduce the harm (gluten, high carbs and high glycemic index) and add extra value, such as more protein and more fiber.”

“Historically, defatted seeds have only been used in animal feed. However, defatted sunflower seeds repurposed into human food can provide consumers with an affordable, clean, sustainable source of plant-based protein and add value to supplier profits,” he explains. 

Planetarians’ patent-pending technology adds value to overlooked ingredients like defatted seeds, converts them into a high-protein, high-fiber ingredient, and helps food manufacturers fortify a variety of food products with natural protein and fiber from seeds.

Planetarians have invented a method to repurpose defatted seeds, so they are available for human consumption and subsequently filed a patent for the new ingredient, SunMeal. SunMeal is a dry, flour-like ingredient with the neutral, pleasant taste of sunflower seeds. 

SunMeal – an ingredient from sunflower defatted seeds – is available in flour-like and crisps-like form with the neutral, pleasant taste of sunflower seeds. SunMeal has 35 percent plant-based protein, 18 percent fiber, and just 1 percent fat.

“SunMeal is allergen free and non-GMO, unlike soy-based proteins,” continues Manchuliantsau. “SunMeal is five times cheaper than pea protein and is a good source of fiber. SunMeal has two times more protein than beer spent grain flour.”

Focusing on healthy snacks as the minimum viable product (MVP) for Planetarians, Manchuliantsau sees that food recycling and upcycling unlocks access to affordable, healthy meals for the world’s growing population.

“So far, we have created a snack that was their first test of using the ingredient, Planetarians Sunflower Chips, which replace 30 percent all-purpose flour and fiber content, keeping the same price,” he notes. 

And the creation of their all-purpose flour is in process now, says Manchuliantsau. 

“Imagine making food ‘superfood,’ healthy fast food, cost-effective food. Our job is to make it real,” he adds. 

Planetarians’ manufacturing process was tested and optimized at the University of Minnesota. The resulting product was certified for nutritional content by General Mills Medallion Labs. Patent-pending applications for process, ingredient and formulations (filed in April 2017) prohibit competitors from using defatted seeds in any food product for human consumption.

By Elizabeth Green