Nature’s Fynd, an alternative protein company based in Chicago, Illinois that seeks to develop microbe-based meat substitutes, has just made a major announcement.
They recently revealed that they have created a brand new vegan protein out of volcanic fungi.
More specifically, the new protein they developed comes from a volcanic microorganism called Fusarium strain flavolapis found in Yellowstone National Park. The volcanic microbe was first discovered by NASA scientists, who were working on a project to prepare for a mission into outer space. Nature’s Fynd claims they only require a small sample of the microbe in order to develop a nearly unlimited supply of their new protein.
The fungi protein that Nature’s Fynd has created, which they have dubbed Fy, was created using the American startup’s breakthrough fermentation technology, which they describe as a similar process to brewing beer. They use simple trays in standing towers located in a growth chamber, and feed a blend of nutrients to the microbe before it grows in a matter of days. This sustainable and extremely efficient process results in a protein with a similar texture to muscle fibre.
From there, the Nature’s Fynd team prepares the protein in a number of ways (pressing, slicing, steaming, and rinsing). Once this stage is complete, it is ready to be turned into the foods we all know and love. One of the great things about Fy is that it is highly versatile, and can be transformed into a solid, liquid, or even a powder. This translates to limitless options when it comes to food production.
According to the brand, making Fy a reality requires far less water, land, and energy resources than other protein sources, including nuts and meat. For example, as the volcanic protein can be developed through fermentation, all that is really necessary is a series of brewing vats. This requires far less resources than factory farms or other large swaths of land.
Further, growing Fy is far quicker than other lab-based proteins, especially cell-based meat. Nature’s Fynd claims that the entire creation process for Fy takes just three and a half days.
The volcanic microbe-based Fy is extremely nutritious, as it is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, in addition to other vitamins and minerals. It is also said to have a neutral taste that mixes well with all kinds of food, ranging from yogurt to vegan burgers. In fact, the new vegan protein has already been used by Nature’s Fynd in a wide variety of food, including chocolate mousse and crispy “chicken” nuggets.
While Nature’s Fynd has yet to release their new line up of vegan, volcanic microbe-based food to the public, they recently raised roughly $45 million in funding to help them bring their innovative products to market. According to the brand, they have plans to sell their sustainable food products this year, though no specific date has yet been announced.
All images in this article are courtesy of Nature’s Fynd.
