Israel-based Pigmentum, on a mission to “become the leaders in sustainable production of biomolecules for human well-being,” introduces the next generation of a method for creating plants, which will drastically optimize ways for producing plant-based functional casein for the new wave of animal-free dairy.
Further to the well-hyped products of cellular agriculture, new developments in plant cell tech are appearing around the world. Pigmentum produces casein in plants, as opposed to in microorganisms or tissues, reports the startup to vegconomist.
Tal Lutzky (CEO) and Amir Tiroler (CTO) met during agronomy studies at Robert H. Smith School of Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Rehovot campus and together they developed the concept of an inducible mechanism in transgenic plants. With the support of Prof. Alexander Vainstein, a world expert in plant genomics and metabolic engineering, the founders developed the company’s proprietary technology.
When trying to evaluate a new approach to protein production, there are three rules to consider: sustainability, functionality, and of course – total cost, say the scientists. Tal Lutzky, Co-Founder & CEO of Pigmentum in Israel, explains, “Despite repeated efforts, it seems that novel technologies such as precision fermentation have yet to fully address all these factors. The similarity between plant and animal cells allows Pigmentum to fine-tune plant cells to perform accurate protein folding and provide the required functionality.
“Our plants grow and look normal until we trigger them, turning them into pre-programmed individual “factories” that create a great deal of the desired ingredient. This leads to high yields and growth efficiencies never before demonstrated, which can then be used to achieve marketable prices.”
Tal Lutzky will present this new method of obtaining casein at the 3rd International Conference on Plant and Cell-based Alternatives to Milk, which will focus on recent developments in Israel.
For more information visit: https://www.muva.de/seminare/details/current-developments-in-israel
