Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) seed coat and seed coat fractions novel health-beneficial Ingredients for animal and human diets
Methods to increase bioavailability of PACs and dietary fibre in pea seed coats and seed coat fractions conferring improved health and beneficial effects Can be used as, or in, variety of products including ingredients, food products, and animal feed Animal feed studies demonstrate striking reduction in alpha-cell and alpha/beta cell ratio in pancreas and 50% reduction in plasma glucagon concentration in glucose intolerant rats
Highlights
- Methods to increase bioavailability of PACs and dietary fibre in pea seed coats and seed coat fractions conferring improved health and beneficial effects
- Can be used as, or in, variety of products including ingredients, food products, and animal feed
- Animal feed studies demonstrate striking reduction in alpha-cell and alpha/beta cell ratio in pancreas and 50% reduction in plasma glucagon concentration in glucose intolerant rats
Opportunity
Pulse grains, including dried peas, are rich sources of fibre with low glycemic indices and bioactive components such as the flavonoids proanthocyanidins (PACs or condensed tannins). Their unique nutritional profile has led to many studies investigating different varieties of pulses in terms of their health benefits. Evidence is mounting that PACs have a beneficial effect in both animals and humans including improved insulin sensitivity, reduced glycemia, increased satiety, improved glucose tolerance, improved glucose control, improved glucose homeostasis, beneficial effects on pancreatic islet composition and insulin secretion. However, plant-derived PACs are polymeric structures with a wide degree of polymerization, and therefore, the absorption and bioavailability of plant-derived PACs is limited. Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed novel methods for increasing the bioavailability of PACs and dietary fibre in pea seed coats and seed coat fractions conferring improved health and beneficial effects. Such pea seed coat and seed coat fractions can be used as, or in, a variety of products including ingredients, food products, and animal feed. The researchers have demonstrated, in animal feed studies, a striking reduction in alpha-cell and alpha/beta cell ratio in the pancreas and a 50% reduction in plasma glucagon concentration in glucose intolerant rats fed the novel seed coat fractions. They also discovered that rats fed the novel seed coat fractions had a favorable effect on body composition without altering energy intake.
Competitive advantage
- Increased bio-availability of PACs and dietary fibre.
- Versatile usage as food ingredients, food products, animal feed and supplements
Status
- Patent issued United States - US10,342,838B2
About University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a large, comprehensive public research university in Edmonton with multiple campuses and a strong applied research culture. Industry engages through co-located labs and pilot-scale facilities, as well as established co-op and internship programs that place talent with partners year-round. Integration with Alberta’s province-wide hospital system supports clinical research and accelerates translation. Companies also benefit from proximity to regional industry clusters and collaboration hubs on and near campus for joint R&D and prototyping. Supported by NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and Canada Foundation for Innovation funding—plus provincial and industry support—the tech transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation with streamlined sponsored-research agreements.
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