Burcon scales fava bean protein to commercial production with 90%+ purity breakthrough
Burcon NutraScience Corporation has achieved a critical manufacturing milestone, successfully transitioning its proprietary fava bean protein extraction technology from laboratory development to full commercial production. The Canadian biotechnology company’s FavaPro™ represents a significant technical achievement in plant protein isolation, delivering over 90% protein content whilst maintaining hypoallergenic properties and neutral organoleptic characteristics.
Nitrogen-fixing feedstock strategy drives sustainability metrics
The company’s extraction methodology targets fava beans specifically for their dual agricultural benefits – high protein yield coupled with nitrogen-fixing capabilities that enhance soil fertility and reduce synthetic fertiliser dependency. This strategic approach parallels successful pea protein production models, establishing fava beans as a technically viable and environmentally sustainable feedstock for industrial protein isolation.
“The commercial launch of FavaPro marks an important milestone in Burcon’s growth strategy and demonstrates our ability to efficiently scale and diversify production at the Galesburg facility,” said Kip Underwood, Burcon’s chief executive officer.
Technical specifications unlock versatile application potential
FavaPro’s analytical profile reveals critical functional advantages: neutral flavour compounds, off-white pigmentation, and hypoallergenic composition enable seamless integration across diverse food matrices. Laboratory characterisation confirms compatibility with dairy alternatives, nutritional beverages, baked goods formulations, and sports nutrition applications.
The naturally non-GMO protein isolate supports multiple regulatory claims including dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and plant-based positioning – addressing formulation challenges where traditional allergen-containing proteins create compliance barriers.
“FavaPro was one of the most sought-after plant proteins at the recent IFT FIRST tradeshow,” Underwood noted, highlighting significant industry engagement with the ingredient’s commercial potential.
Burcon’s intellectual property portfolio encompasses extraction technologies for multiple plant sources including pea, canola, soy, hemp, and sunflower, positioning the company as a diversified technology platform in the expanding plant protein manufacturing sector.
For more information, visit: www.burcon.ca
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