Eggs have long been an essential component in baked goods due to their structural, gelation, and binding properties. However, they also present several challenges. Eggs rank among the most common allergens, and their prices can fluctuate dramatically due to supply and demand dynamics. According to a fact sheet from Shiru, eggs typically score low on sustainability metrics. Studies indicate that a dozen eggs from conventional, intensive farming practices results in approximately 2.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, while poultry farms significantly contribute to land and water pollution.
Plant-based alternatives can address many of the issues associated with eggs. Unlike companies that rely on trial and error to identify substitutes, Shiru employs scientific methods to discover proteins that can effectively replace eggs. By utilizing existing databases and bioinformatics, Shiru analyzes which proteins fulfill the necessary functions in various ingredients. The company then employs artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify plant-based proteins that can replicate these functions. Following this, Shiru uses precision fermentation to produce larger quantities of these proteins and conducts tests to ensure their efficacy.
After successfully closing a $17 million Series A funding round, Shiru’s founder and CEO, Jasmin Hume, indicated that the company is now focused on identifying plant-based proteins that can offer similar gelling properties to those provided by eggs, dairy, gelatin, and collagen, in addition to replacing methylcellulose.
Puratos, a century-old Belgian baking ingredients company, has also had a busy year. With Pierre Tossut, a 26-year veteran of the company, stepping in as CEO, Puratos has made several strategic moves in 2022, including acquiring a Belgian probiotics firm, purchasing a Czech baking mix supplier, and inaugurating a new innovation center in Issaquah, Washington. This spring, the company introduced a life-cycle assessment tool for its ingredients, allowing customers to evaluate sustainability metrics more easily. Puratos has been promoting its capability to assist customers in finding cost-effective replacements for traditional ingredients like dairy and eggs.
The partnership with Shiru underscores Puratos’s commitment to enhancing sustainability and reducing costs for its customers. Shiru’s emphasis on more sustainable ingredient solutions is likely to yield improved scores in life-cycle analyses and more stable pricing for components, including potential applications of calcium citrate doses. Through collaboration, both companies aim to innovate the market with better, plant-based alternatives that can help mitigate the environmental impact associated with traditional baking ingredients.