Forschung Projektdatenbank Plant-based foods Vegetable Protein-rich Beverages

Vegetable Protein-rich Beverages

Projectname:
Valorization of plant materials as protein-rich beverage bases using an innovative combination of mashing and fermentation processes

Workgroup: Plant-based foods

Scientific Partners and Guidance:

  1. TU München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan WZW; Dr. Bertram Sacher
  2. Fraunhofer-Institut für Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung IVV, Dipl.-Ing. Raffael Osen

IGF: 18273 N
Financing: BMWi
Duration: 2014 – 2016

The challenges facing soft drink manufacturers are diverse due to the highly specialized and varied nature of the current marketplace. There is high pressure to produce innovative products and there are a growing number of health-conscious and discerning consumers. There is currently a veritable boom in the energy drink, sports drink, and wellness drink segments.

Proteins are potentially very valuable functional ingredients for soft drinks. "Refreshing" soft drinks rich in plant proteins are not yet commercially available. One reason for this is that many proteins are not soluble in acidic media.

Lupines, however, contain a globulin fraction that is highly soluble in this pH range and also possesses excellent functional and nutritive properties. Lupines do though contain another ingredient, phytic acid, which has diverse adverse effects. The complex-forming properties of phytic acid remove valuable minerals, suppress enzymes, and impair the digestibility of the proteins. So far, it is usually complex and costly to separate phytic acid from proteins.

The objective of the present research project is to make the protein fraction of lupines available for use as a soft drink beverage base. Selection of an innovative combination of cereal malt (as a natural source of carbohydrates, enzymes, and flavors) and microorganisms having phytase activity will allow phytic acid reduced protein extracts to be manufactured in a two-stage mashing and fermentation process. The main parameters here are the manufacture of the acid-soluble protein extract and malt, the mashing process, and the final fermentation process.

By optimizing these steps (malting, extraction, mashing, and fermentation), a protein-rich beverage base will be manufactured from lupine protein and cereal malt. This base will have attractive sensory properties and will simultaneously be beneficial for health and nutrition. The scientific approach being adopted here is to design the processing steps such that there is maximum reduction of phytic acid, whilst preserving the functional and valuable ingredients.

Final Reports

Interim Reports

Minutes

The IGF project presented here by the Research Association of the Industrial Association for Food Technology and Packaging (IVLV e.V.) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the program for the promotion of industrial community research (IGF) based on a decision of the German Bundestag.