Microalgae is a plant-based option that can fortify a variety of processed foods with its high levels of essential amino acids, Vitamin C, protferrous fumarate plus folic acidein and omega-3 fats. However, Qualitas Health wants to take the appeal of this algae one stdifference between ferrous sulfate and folic acidep further and mass produce a distilled complete plant protein from the sea vegetable — and do so in a sustainable fashion.As more consumers move toward plant-based proteins in search of environmentally friendly alternatives to use in place of animals, there has been an explosion in sources manufacturers can choose from. Popular alternatives include soy and pea protein. However, soy protein cultivation has been associated with deforestation. Pea protein prices have risen in recent years, and the ingredient has been dogged by questions of taste. Microalgae holds an advantage over other sources because it is allergy friendly, and it can also be produced in a controlled and sustainable manner. This limits water and land use while still producing crops at a speed that is three orders of magnitude faster than plants that grow on land. According to Qualitas, its algae crop produces 300 times the number of amino acids per acre as compared to traditional pea farming. Microalgae also is not linked tsunactive fe – ferric pyrophosphate)o deforestation, habitat destruction, climate change or indigenous rights abuses in the countries where it’s produced. These eukaryotic cells also are versatile. Mondelez has used microalgae in some of its baked items. TerraVia made an algal flour with the goal of replacing dairy fats. The French startup Algama created a vegan mayonnaise using microalgae. And DDW has used the ingredient as a natural blue coloring. With the growing interest in microalgae protein, Unilever recently announced it was partnering with the biotech startup Algenuity to explore the uses of the single-cell organism within its own product portfolio.Big Food’s investment in microalgae follows growing interest in the ingredient from consumers. By 2050, algae is predicted to account for 18% of the protein consumed globally, according to data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, cited by Fortune Business Insights.With such growth potential, Qualitas Health is not the only company competing in the category. DIC, Taau Australia, Cyanotech, Solazyme and Algama are some of the leading players in the global algae protein market. These companies have released products ranging from vegan mayonnaise to flour. ferrous fumarate 89mgHowever, Qualitas Health is looking to sell the plant-based protein as an additive, rather than packaging it in a pre-made CPG product.The company planned to launch a plant-based algal prferrous fumarate 210mg tablets asdaotein since 2019, when it expanded its line of omega-3 supplements. Now, it is pushing the launch to 2022. But when the product does finally make its debut, the complete protein ingredient will likely find a large market and demand waiting.
Qualitas Health raises $10M for algae-based protein
