An Angel Yeast employee works at a lab in Yichang, Hubei province. [CHINA DAILY]
Despite the intrinsic familiarity with yeast and protein individually, the combined term "yeast protein "has yet to elicit recognition in public consciousness.
However, to Zhang Yan, leader of an Angel Yeast team that has been involved in related research and development for more than 10 years, the term couldn't be more familiar.
In August this year, Angel Yeast — the largest yeast producer in China and a big name globally — will begin operations at its yeast protein production workshop in Yichang, Hubei province.
The plant will bring many results achieved by Zhang's team to supermarket shelves in more than 40 markets globally, and turn the less-explored nourishment into a more common consumer item in the years to come.
Obtained from yeast cells, yeast proteins can be utilized as an ideal source for safe and high-quality proteins, as they boast high nutritional value with an ideal amino acid composition and a wealth of beneficial functions and properties. The novel protein source has been listed in the new food ingredient catalog by the National Health Commission.
In addition, what makes it even more worthy of hundreds of millions of yuan in research and development spending is that the production of yeast protein is sustainable and environmentally friendly, Zhang said.
According to the United Nations' projections, the world's population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, "where by then, animal and plant proteins may not suffice to meet global demand, potentially resulting in a significant protein deficit", said Li Ku, deputy general manager of the protein research center at Angel Yeast.
"Proteins extracted from microorganisms, like yeast protein, are likely to become a staple on dining tables by then."
An early pioneer in the sector, Angel Yeast started to deepen its R&D in yeast protein in 2015, and collected yeast products from various regions nationwide. The first achievement came after three years of selection — a super yeast strain with a protein content exceeding 65 percent.
This was just the beginning. Through numerous experiments, Zhang and his team developed a specific enzyme preparation that not only separates the protein from the fermented liquid, but also achieves a protein content of over 80 percent.
"To produce the same amount of protein by planting soybeans or raising cows, the duration could be months. For yeast protein, it only takes hours," Zhang said.
Aiming to build its yeast protein into another celebrated product, Angel Yeast has established 16 yeast production lines globally, with an annual fermentation capacity exceeding 400,000 metric tons, ensuring an ample supply for yeast protein and its derivatives.
The company's annual yeast protein production capacity now stands at 50,000 tons, leading the nation in technology. With the new production line in operation, its supply will significantly expand.
Compared with animal and plant proteins such as soy and whey proteins, yeast protein has fewer related products, and its applications in food systems need to be further explored.
Usage of yeast protein has been quite common in some developed economies like Japan, Europe and the United States, while in China, "the amount of consumers with knowledge about the novel protein is still relatively small, thus putting a limit on its expansion nationwide," said Li.
In addition, unlike animal protein products such as meat that normally offers a rich texture, there is still a limited amount of products containing yeast protein to offer the same dining experience.
This is also a direction of efforts for Angel Yeast. So far, its team has developed another yeast-derived product — yeast extract. The natural food ingredient enhances flavor, and when combined with yeast protein, enriches product texture.
In addition, the company has collaborated with several well-known domestic and international food companies, with yeast protein products covering protein powder, baking, dietary supplements, protein bars, sports drinks and vegetarian foodstuffs. The use of yeast protein in feeds, cosmetics and other fields is also under exploration.
In July, industry standards for yeast protein — led by Angel Yeast — were officially implemented, which was deemed a significant milestone in its application in the domestic food sector.
While the global yeast protein market scale is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) by 2035, domestic promotion, however, remains at an early stage, Li said.
"Although it's challenging, we are making gradual progress. And we are bullish on the market prospects."
