Not chickens, but potatoes that hatch egg proteins

Sometimes, you stumble upon news that makes you raise an eyebrow—whether it's a strange new invention, an unexpected consequence of climate change, or a surprising display of human clumsiness. It leaves you thinking, "Well, that's remarkable."

PoLoPo, an innovative start-up, has developed a futuristic method of producing proteins by using genetically modified potatoes instead of chickens. Normally, we rely on eggs from chickens as a primary source of protein, but this new approach involves engineering potatoes to produce the same valuable proteins found in eggs. This breakthrough offers a promising alternative as egg prices continue to rise. By "growing" proteins in potatoes, PoLoPo’s technology could offer a more cost-effective and sustainable solution for protein production, potentially reducing reliance on animal agriculture and making protein more accessible.

Egg prices have been skyrocketing for years. A combination of higher feed prices, regular outbreaks of bird flu and rising demand from a growing world population is driving up the price of a carton of eggs.

Egg prices have become a major issue in the presidential elections in America. Bird flu has been raging there since the beginning of this year. It recently hit the state of Washington, where 800,000 laying hens were culled. A company with 1.8 million laying hens in Utah was also hit by the virus. The National Chamber of Poultry Producers estimates the loss of poultry in the United States from January to mid-October this year at more than 20 million. Fewer chickens means fewer eggs, and so prices are sky-high.

America is just one of the countries where this phenomenon is taking place. The shortage on the egg market is a global problem.

Alternative

PoLoPo has developed a unique way to produce egg proteins without using chickens at all. This start-up has engineered potatoes to naturally create the same protein found in eggs by modifying their DNA. Here’s how it works: PoLoPo changes the DNA of the potato plant to "learn" how to make egg protein, even though no chickens or actual eggs are involved. These modified potato plants grow just like regular potatoes, and their tubers (the part we eat) start producing egg protein.

Once the potatoes are ready, PoLoPo harvests them and extracts the protein, which is then dried into a powder. This powder has the same taste, texture, and nutritional benefits as egg protein from chickens, offering a more affordable and sustainable alternative to traditional egg production.

Stable

The start-up PoLoPo’s potato-based egg proteins avoid the market fluctuations that typically affect regular egg prices. Since these egg proteins are produced directly from potatoes, they’re not influenced by factors like feed costs or egg supply shortages, meaning production and prices remain stable.

PoLoPo also emphasizes that their method is more environmentally friendly than traditional egg production. Unlike eggs from chickens, these potato-derived proteins don’t require livestock farming, which reduces resources and emissions linked to animal agriculture. Additionally, the protein powder is free from hormones and antibiotics, making it a cleaner, more sustainable alternative for consumers.

Cooperation

CSM Ingredients, a major global company in baking ingredients, recognizes the potential of PoLoPo’s potato-based egg white powder and plans to incorporate it into their products. CSM relies on ovalbumin—a primary egg white protein—in many items, including croissants and donuts. By using PoLoPo’s potato-derived egg proteins, CSM can make its ingredients more sustainable, secure a stable supply, and potentially lower costs.

Christian Sobolta from CSM Ingredients highlights that innovative start-ups like PoLoPo are vital for pushing industry boundaries and introducing sustainable solutions into the food sector. PoLoPo’s CEO, Maya Sapir-Mir, views this partnership as an ideal match, emphasizing that the commercial baking industry is a major target for PoLoPo’s product, and CSM’s expertise will be instrumental in bringing it to a broader market.

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