ISRAEL – 21st.Bio, a precision fermentation company, has received self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for its animal-free beta-lactoglobulin ingredient, BLG Essential+.
Beta-lactoglobulin, a key protein in bovine whey, is produced through 21st.Bio’s precision fermentation process, resulting in a product with a superior amino acid profile compared to traditional whey protein, making it particularly attractive to food and supplement manufacturers.
The company highlightsed that BLG Essential+ offers 45% more leucine than commercially available whey protein isolates, a critical component for muscle synthesis, which is a significant draw for the sports, active nutrition, and clinical nutrition markets.
In addition to its high nutritional value, BLG Essential+ is tasteless, heat tolerant, and stable across a wide pH range, making it a versatile ingredient for a wide range of product formulations, such as clear protein drinks, bakery goods, and dairy alternatives.
Thomas G. Schmidt, co-founder and CEO of 21st.Bio, emphasized the company’s role as a partner to its customers throughout their product development journey.
“We’re not just a technology provider — we’re a partner to our customers on their product journey, ensuring their success from development to full-scale manufacturing,” he said.
Schmidt further explained that the company’s business model is centered on customer success, with 21st.Bio’s performance directly tied to the success of the products it helps bring to market.
“One of the key advantages of 21st.Bio’s approach is its development program, which offers companies access to the precision fermentation technology needed to produce their own BLG Essential+ products.”
He also noted that the program also provides access to Novozymes’ extensive portfolio of licensed strains and ongoing optimization, ensuring that companies can scale their production processes efficiently.
Furthermore, 21st.Bio offers comprehensive support in navigating regulatory approval and scaling production to full commercial levels.
Meanwhile, the company is also working to develop additional animal-free proteins beyond beta-lactoglobulin, focusing on proteins for food, materials, and agriculture.
As the demand for sustainable, animal-free proteins continues to grow, 21st.Bio aims to be at the forefront of innovation, offering products that cater to weight management, sports nutrition, healthy aging, and beyond.
Per Falholt, 21st.Bio’s co-founder and CSO, emphasized the uniqueness of the company’s offerings.
“We bring our customers access to technology and skills they could not get anywhere else,” he stated, reinforcing 21st.Bio’s commitment to helping companies produce high-quality, innovative food products that meet modern consumer demands for sustainability and nutrition.
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