Global plant-based ingredients company Roquette announces the launch of NUTRALYS Fava S900M for Europe and North America. The NPD is Roquette’s first protein isolate derived from fava beans and the latest addition to its NUTRALYS pea protein range and other rice F&B solutions.
“We have been able to unlock the immense potential of fava beans in protein fortification”
The new ingredient aims to expand food manufacturers’ plant protein options, enabling them to offer meat and dairy alternatives that cater to health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers without compromising on taste and indulgence.
Romain Joly, Global Head of Proteins Business Line at Roquette, shares, “Part of the pulse family, fava beans have long been valued for their properties in textured applications, but in recent years, the focus has shifted to its ability to deliver high protein levels and leverage sensory attributes. Through extensive research and development, we have been able to unlock the immense potential of fava beans in protein fortification.”
Standing out from the crowd
With 90% protein content, the new fava isolate is said to offer a clean taste and light color. These features offer manufacturers endless possibilities for flavor development and aesthetics, says the company. Evaluation data from Roquette’s sensory expert panel validated the ingredient’s improved flavor and reduced bitterness compared to other available fava bean protein isolates.
Fava S900M is more than just a high-protein ingredient, according to Roquette, which states that it offers superior functionality and versatility, standing out from other plant proteins in terms of high gel strength, viscosity control, and stability under varying conditions. The French company says that Fava S900M provides formulation flexibility in plant-based food, such as dairy-free, ready-to-drink yogurts, chicken or fish alternatives, and baked goods.
Achieving sustainability
Moreover, NUTRALYS Fava S900M delivers on sustainability. Fava beans, like peas, offer significant agronomic advantages, including a natural nitrogen-fixing capacity in the soil, eliminating the need for nitrogen fertilizers.
In addition, Roquette says it sources and manufactures its fava beans locally at its production plant in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada, making its ingredients an attractive option for achieving sustainability goals.
According to Benjamin Voiry, Marketing Plant Proteins at Roquette, the launch of NUTRALYS Fava S900M marks a significant step forward in plant-based food formulation. Its nutritional, functional, and sensory superiority positions it as the ingredient of choice for customers striving to innovate in an increasingly competitive plant-based market landscape.
Fava beans are the protagonists of innovative developments in the plant-based scene. UK-based company Nukoko makes cocoa-free chocolate from fava beans and Dutch companies Schouten Europe and Agrifirm are developing new tempeh versions by mixing soy and fava beans.
Meanwhile, these beans have launched in Beyond Meat’s new chicken SKUs and Squeaky Bean’s chorizo-style sausages in the UK, and the German firm BENEO has also launched a fava bean concentrate for healthy pet food products.
“With NUTRALYS® Fava S900M, we’re not just introducing a new ingredient; we’re offering a solution that addresses the evolving needs of the industry while prioritizing environmental responsibility,” Voiry adds.
Roquette will debut its latest innovation at Future Food-Tech’s Alternative Proteins Summit in Chicago (17-18 June). Attendees can sample a coconut milk concept containing the new protein.
