The Next Big Protein: Unlocking the Potential of RuBisCO
RuBisCO, one of the most abundant proteins on Earth, boasts digestibility and functionality comparable to well-known animal proteins like egg and whey protein isolates. This plant protein is found in every green leaf, from duckweed to sugar beet. However, despite its prevalence, RuBisCO has yet to emerge as the primary plant protein choice in the food industry.
Challenges in Harvesting and Processing RuBisCO
The hurdles associated with extracting RuBisCO are significant. Firstly, this protein exists in minimal quantities within leaves, typically accounting for only 1-5% of the dry leaf mass. Consequently, vast amounts of biomass must be processed to yield a small quantity of protein.
Post-harvest, there is a limited processing window to maintain RuBisCO’s functionality. Companies must either chill or freeze the leaves immediately after harvest or begin extraction within a short timeframe. Additionally, extracting RuBisCO is no minor feat. Firms face the challenge of rupturing leaf cells to eliminate cellulose, chlorophyll, polyphenols, and other components, all while ensuring the protein remains undenatured, resulting in a neutral-tasting off-white powder suitable for varied food formulations.
“Everyone recognizes RuBisCO as the ‘utopia protein,’” states Ross Milne, CEO of New Zealand-based Leaft Foods. “The real question was whether we could find a cost-effective method to isolate it in a desirable form. That’s precisely what we’ve accomplished.”
Progress and Innovation at Leaft Foods
Founded in 2019 by John and Maury Leyland-Penno, Leaft Foods is currently in the commercial demonstration stage, producing tens of tons of RuBisCO material per month. “In the upcoming months, we plan to increase our production to hundreds of tons each month, featuring our protein concentrate with over 80% purity and excellent emulsifying, gelling, and foaming characteristics,” Milne notes.
Leaft Foods is not only focused on bulk protein production; they are also developing Leaft Blade, a branded product targeted at performance athletes in New Zealand and the United States. This dual approach helps them capture a wider market share.
Utilizing Alfalfa as a Source Material
While US-based Plantible—another key player in the RuBisCO landscape—has its own facility in Texas producing hundreds of metric tons of protein annually from duckweed, Leaft Foods sources its RuBisCO from alfalfa. “Alfalfa is highly productive; it fixes its own nitrogen and has deep roots for efficient water usage,” Milne explains. “It’s perennial and remains in the ground for five to seven years, allowing for sustainability.”
Milne highlights that alfalfa can yield 18 tons of dry matter per hectare, translating to nearly six tons of protein. “This makes for an efficient business model with a clear path towards profitability,” he adds. Furthermore, Leaft Foods generates value from 100% of the raw material, commercializing not only the protein but also all co-products.
Strategic Partnerships and Market Entry
On the market front, Leaft Foods is forging partnerships with both large multinationals and nimble smaller companies that will facilitate quicker market entry. “Our RuBisCO has achieved self-GRAS status in the US,” Milne notes.
The company is primarily focused on dairy and bakery sectors, and Milne believes products containing RuBisCO could hit the shelves within the next year. “We knew from the outset that we needed to be price competitive with products like whey protein concentrate, which opens up a substantial addressable market for our business,” he elaborates.
Future Prospects and Market Recognition
Currently, awareness of RuBisCO is minimal, but Milne is optimistic: “I anticipate a significant shift in the next decade. Soon, RuBisCO will be as recognized as whey protein.” To support this vision, Leaft has secured $20 million in equity funding from investors like Khosla Ventures and ACC’s Climate Change Impact Fund, in addition to significant non-dilutive funding from the New Zealand government.
Despite mixed results from previous attempts to commercialize RuBisCO for human food applications, there is a growing interest. Recent years have seen challenges, such as the bankruptcy of Florida-based Lemnature AquaFarms, contrasted by the success of San Diego’s Plantible, which operates at scale and is expanding further.
Other entities in this evolving sector include ProLeafEra, FUDI Ingredients, Day 8, Brevel, Alfa-Ruby, and the Leaf Protein Company.
Further Reading
Day 8 emerges from stealth with plans to extract ‘holy grail of proteins’ from ag waste
Lemna/duckweed processor Lemnature AquaFarms files for bankruptcy, asset sale set for Dec 12
