Manitoba Bulletin
Canola protein technology presents new market for canola growers
Bringing the idea of canola as a protein for human consumption to the forefront is something Manitoba Canola Growers have been supporting. Through innovative technology, protein has been extracted from canola meal (currently a livestock feed) in a way suitable for the human food market. The process is simple and only uses water and a mechanical filter to separate canola ‘milk’. The milk is then coagulated into curds that can be squished together into a cake.
MCGA Executive Director Delaney Ross Burtnack has sampled the milk and found it virtually flavourless with a silky texture, making it easy to add to food without needing to mask the taste. This innovative technology was supported by grower research dollars and brings forward new opportunities for canola growers.
In September last year, the canola protein extraction technology was successfully licensed to Manitoba company M. & C. Commodities Inc. (M&C Commodities). M&C Commodities’ mission is to add value to Canadian crops and produce sustainable plant-based protein ingredients and finished foods for humans around the world. Moving forward, M&C Commodities will license the canola protein extraction technology and take it into commercial production.
“This technology has the ability to craft a wide range of formats (from soluble to powder) and can be used as an ingredient in a variety of foods to promote healthy cooking options.”
“We’re proud to offer farmers another stream for canola in the market place,” says Carlos Melo, president and CEO of M&C Commodities. “This technology has the ability to craft a wide range of formats (from soluble to powder) and can be used as an ingredient in a variety of foods to promote healthy cooking options. Once branded as plant based protein using canola it becomes another channel for farmers to move their crop.”
“This is an opportunity to expand the value of canola meal as
it gives farmers an option beyond livestock feed to market their
meal for human protein consumption.”
Ross Burtnack says, “We’ve been excited to support the canola protein extraction technology and the research that’s gotten it to this point because it opens up an entirely new market for canola growers. This is an opportunity to expand the value of canola meal as it gives farmers an option beyond livestock feed to market their meal for human protein consumption.”
Melo adds, “We’re very thankful for the hard work the province, canola growers and all those involved have done in bringing this technology to market.”
This initiative was supported by grower research dollars and brings forward new opportunities for canola growers.
For future announcements about the technology and more information visit www.mccommodities.ca or follow Canola Growers on Twitter @CanolaGrowers.
Manitoba Canola Growers
Annual General Meeting
February 13, 2020 @ 7:30 AM Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre – Winnipeg, MB Resolution deadline January 25. Guidelines for submission can be found at canolagrowers.com.