Daisy Lab

Daisy Lab bovine lactoferrin

© Daisy Lab
Fermentation

Daisy Lab Announces Major Breakthrough in Production of Bovine Lactoferrin Through Precision Fermentation

New Zealand-based precision fermentation company Daisy Lab has announced a major milestone in its work to produce bovine lactoferrin. After just over a year of research, Daisy Lab says it can now produce multiple grams per litre of bovine lactoferrin in a yeast host. This reportedly opens the door to the commercial-scale production of bioidentical lactoferrin for applications such as infant formula, functional foods, supplements, and nutraceuticals. Lactoferrin is described as a rare, bioactive protein with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. In cow’s milk, it occurs naturally at concentrations as low as 0.02–0.2 grams per litre, but Daisy Lab’s technology allows for much higher yields. As a result, precision fermentation-derived lactoferrin could offer a more sustainable, consistent, and abundant supply of the ingredient, with no …

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Vivici cow logo

© Vivici
Fermentation

7 Fermentation Companies Paving the Whey to a Cow-Free Dairy Industry

Following our recent summary of producers making alternatives to casein protein, below is a roundup of the companies using cutting-edge technology to make whey proteins with microbes; bypassing cheesemaking to retire cows from the dairy business. Whey proteins, derived from the whey or the liquid portion of milk that separates during cheese production, are known for their rapid absorption and high branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which play an essential role in muscle growth and recovery. They have been widely used in the last decades as ingredients in protein powders and bars targeting athletes. Whey proteins include β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, immunoglobulins, bovine serum albumin, bovine lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase. Precision fermentation companies mainly produce a bio-identical version of the most abundant of them, β-lactoglobulin, to craft the next …

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daisy lab's team

© Image courtesy of Daisy Lab
Fermentation

Yeast Instead of Cows: Daisy Lab Obtains EPA Approval to Scale Whey Proteins

New Zealand’s precision fermentation biotech Daisy Lab announces that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the expansion of its dairy protein platform to 5,000 L. The endorsement follows the successful production of animal-identical whey proteins in 10 L fermenters announced in January. Day Lab states that this approval marks another significant milestone in scaling and commercializing its technology, enabling it to construct a pilot facility.  CSO and co-founder Dr. Nicole Freed highlights the role of the EPA in helping Daisy Lab deal with the legal aspects related to genetic technologies. She shares: “We invested significant time and resources into preparing our application, and it’s gratifying to see our efforts pay off. This is a crucial step forward for Daisy Lab and for precision fermentation technology in New …

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microbial whey proteins co-founders of daisy lab

Daisy Lab Co-Founders Irina Miller (left), Dr. Nikki Freed, Emily McIsaac (right)/ © Daisy Lab
Fermentation

New Zealand’s Daisy Lab Successfully Scales Animal-Identical Whey Paving the Way for a New Dairy Industry

New Zealand’s Daisy Lab, a precision fermentation biotech, announces a scaling milestone: successfully manufacturing animal-identical whey proteins in 10 L fermenters.  In addition, Daisy Lab says that it has established the complete production process to create a final product, a whey protein powder.  Established in 2021 to produce novel dairy proteins, the female-founded startup has achieved remarkable progress in slightly over a year. The team discovered three whey protein expression systems using yeast and has raised $1.5 million to scale its production.  “We’ve successfully executed the process from start to finish, resulting in powdered whey protein that has undergone rigorous external testing. This accomplishment empowers us to delve into the creation of innovative edible product prototypes,” comments Irina Miller, Daisy Lab’s co-founder and CEO. Novel dairy …

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Vegan Egg White

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Fermentation

Making Food with Microbes: Precision Fermentation Market to Reach $34.9 billion by 2031

Growing investments in precision fermentation and the increasing demand and preference for animal-free dairy, meat, and ingredients are contributing to the growth (reported to be at an incredible CAGR of 40.5%) and expansion of this technology into the F&B, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The reason for the excitement toward this technology is its potential to produce superior-quality proteins at a lower cost compared to animal-based alternatives. It allows the development of animal-free versions of cheese, ice cream, honey, meat, and other well-loved foods, attracting interest from investors and entrepreneurs. Additionally, precision fermentation could minimize the environmental impact of food and ingredients production, as it reduces animal farming and its carbon footprint, helping to fight the climate crisis. Moreover, since it’s an indoor method, it eliminates …

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whey protein developer daisy lab

© Daisy Lab
Fermentation

This Week in Animal-Free Dairy: Whey Protein Startups Navigate the Industry Challenges

This week, new developments from whey protein startups Remilk, Perfect Day, and emerging food tech Daisy Lab give us a closer look at some challenges these companies face to make animal-free dairy a reality. Remilk postpones plans for precision fermentation in Denmark Earlier this month, Remilk announced it had postponed its plans to build the “world’s largest full-scale precision fermentation facility” in Denmark. The Israel-based startup has now said that to accelerate its production goals, a contract manufacturer in Western Europe would produce the company’s whey proteins using its patented methods. Last year, Remilk raised $120 million to scale its animal-free protein production, envisioning its first precision fermentation facility in Europe. “Increased demand for our protein led us to focus on immediate production solutions that …

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