IFF-DuPont is collaborating with Israeli foodTech start-up SimpliiGood by Algaecore Technologies to develop a smoked salmon analog manufactured entirely from whole fresh spirulina. The company grows its spirulina in the desert under controlled conditions.
The plant-based cut is designed to take on the appearance, colour, texture, and flavour of smoked salmon, without the ocean pollutants living fish are commonly exposed to. These include compounds such as mercury, fossil fuels, and industrial waste. Comprising 100% minimally processed spirulina, the company says, it is a clean-label product and 40% complete protein.
To advance the project, an agreement was signed between the Israeli Innovation Authority, SimpliiGood, and FoodNxt, IFF-Dupont’s innovation lab. SimpliiGood provides the raw material and texture and colour qualities, while IFF-DuPont contributes the flavour and aroma attributes. The product is planned to hit the market by the end of 2023.
SimpliiGood specialises in cultivating and harvesting the blue-green algae, as well as producing spirulina-based food products. The salmon analog will join a series of existing branded products marketed in Israel to food producers and directly to consumers. Its current portfolio encompasses meat substitutes including hamburgers and chicken nuggets, as well as popsicles, ice cream, crackers, and beverages where spirulina serves either as a base ingredient or nutritional enrichment.
“Our spirulina can act as a complete replacement for animal-based protein or be easily integrated into existing food products as an added-value ingredient, as it has a neutral flavour and maintains its full nutritional value,” said Lior Shalev, CEO and co-founder of Algaecore. “This project marks an exciting milestone in our company’s product line expansion as we enter the fish substitute market.” The company plans to expand to additional fish analogs in the future.
Spirulina is a natural source of protein, plus antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins, (including B12), and minerals, especially iron. SimpliiGood cultivates and markets a specific strain of 100% raw fresh spirulina the company claims is 90% bioavailable.
Shalev reveals that the new, salmon-like creation is based on two IP-protected technological breakthroughs developed by the algae innovators. The first applies to its texturisation platform for forming salmon-like chunks solely from spirulina and have the same mouthfeel as the animal form. Its orange, salmon-like hue has been expressed through identifying and isolating the native beta carotene pigment naturally present in spirulina.