Because the world’s inhabitants continues to develop, the necessity to have the ability to feed everyone seems to be one thing a variety of entities are engaged on. Paris-based Edonia, is likely one of the startups engaged on creating protein elements utilizing microalgae.
Edonia joins firms like Bevel, AlgaeCore Applied sciences, Algenuity and NewFish which are all tapping into the worldwide marketplace for business algae anticipated to be valued at $25.4 billion by 2033.
Now armed with €2 million ($2.1 million), the corporate is shifting ahead with producing plant-based elements from microalgae biomass generated from spirulina or chlorella that Valentin claims is extra nutritious than meat, Edonia CEO Hugo Valentin informed TechCrunch.
Edonia is Valentin’s second firm. He was additionally co-founder of Ammi, an organization that was additionally engaged on spirulina consumption. Previous to that he was an account director for consulting agency Uzik. He mentioned whereas at Ammi he was satisfied that mycology (the research of fungi) would play an essential function within the present protein transition.
Edonia makes the protein through a novel microalgae transformation course of known as “edonization.” This transforms the microalgae biomass right into a textured tremendous ingredient with quite a few style, odor, texture, dietary and environmental qualities.
“We wish to clear up the organoleptic (sense organs) points of mycology,” Valentin mentioned. “Right this moment, it’s primarily often known as a inexperienced powder with a bitter style. The aim of the applied sciences is to unravel this downside.”
How edonization works
The edonization method modifications the colour from inexperienced to a darker richer-looking brown. It converts the feel to “meaty-like tender grains” with aromatics much like one which smoking or grilling would produce, Valentin mentioned.
Edonia’s microalgae product replaces floor meat, like meatballs. (Picture credit score: Lilie Bedos + Edonia)
Edo-1 is the startup’s first product, which Valentin mentioned provided an umami-like taste and texture nearer to floor meat than that of soy proteins. Subsequently, it’s an excellent plant-based alternative for floor meat, he mentioned.
As well as, the minimally processed Edo-1 is 30% protein, comprised of important amino acids, and incorporates different minerals and nutritional vitamins. That’s a bit larger share of protein than, as an example, floor beef, which could be round 20% (a big share of beef is water).
At a time when 34% of greenhouse fuel emissions are generated by our meals, Valentin additionally needed to indicate that microalgae might cut back emissions. Edonia labored with college establishment AgroParisTech to develop a Life Cycle Evaluation that exhibits Edonia’s product might emit 40 occasions much less carbon dioxide than its floor meat equal, and thrice lower than its textured soy equal.
Scaling up
Edonia is already capable of produce just a few kilograms of Edo-1. Valentin’s subsequent aim is to scale the expertise so it might ship hundreds of tons of the product to the market. Valentin expects to have a full-scale manufacturing facility in about two years.
The corporate can be working with meals producer beta testers to develope recipes and meals merchandise utilizing Edonia’s elements.
“We plan to go to the market by the tip of this yr with business proofs of ideas,” he mentioned.
Edonia isn’t topic to the “Novel Meals” class rules, so it doesn’t want French or European Union authorization to go to market. This may allow it to commercialize its manufacturing extra quickly. The official launch shall be European, after which the startup goals to shortly develop to different continents, like Asia and the US, via strategic partnerships, Valentin mentioned.
Getting Edo-1 on the plate
The €2 million funding was led by French enterprise capital agency Asterion Ventures, which just lately invested in one other “inexperienced” firm Diamfab. BPI additionally participated. The capital will allow the corporate to finance a pilot plant and prolong its R&D, Valentin mentioned.
The standard of Edonia’s product has already been examined and accredited by French R&D chef Laurent Sicre, whose culinary creation and improvement experience is acknowledged by meals trade professionals and restaurateurs.
Along with meat options, Valentin mentioned Edo-1 can enhance vitamin for different merchandise, together with bread, desserts, cream and cereal bars, with out impairing the consuming expertise.
Edonia is now organising its industrial demonstrator and Valentin expects to have the ability to execute at an industrial scale starting this summer time. The following step is to safe extra letters of intent for meals makers to go to market with a product containing Edo-1.
