Harpin protein integration in protein-containing beverages
Introducing harpin protein as an innovative ingredient for protein-containing beverages. Harpin is heat-stable, easily purified, and offers potential for enhanced food-related properties without sulfur odor. Suitable for plant or microbial production.
Overview
Harpin protein presents an exciting opportunity for innovation in the beverage industry, particularly in protein-containing drinks. Known for its use as a plant growth stimulant, harpin is a heat-stable protein that could be seamlessly integrated into beverages to enhance their nutritional profile. Its ability to be produced from bacteria, plants, or yeast, combined with its low-risk profile for human toxicity, makes it a versatile and appealing ingredient for beverage manufacturers.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Heat stability: Harpin remains stable even when exposed to high temperatures, making it suitable for pasteurized beverages.
- Purification: Easily purified through simple boiling of bacteria and collection of the supernatant protein.
- Production versatility: Can be overexpressed in E. coli or expressed in plants, offering multiple production pathways.
- No sulfur odor: Unlike some proteins, harpin does not produce a sulfur odor after heating, enhancing its sensory profile.
- Customizable: Versions of harpin can bind pectate, and its size can be altered without affecting heat stability, allowing customization for specific beverage applications.
Technology readiness level
The technology is at a readiness level of 4, indicating that basic validation in the lab environment has been completed. Future steps include providing diverse types of purified harpin protein for further testing in food labs to assess its practical applications in the beverage industry.
About Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university with an applied, partnership‑driven culture. Multiple research campuses—including the Fort Collins main campus, a public‑facing Denver site, and a foothills research complex with shared core facilities and pilot‑scale testbeds—enable companies to co‑locate, access instrumentation, and run validation studies. A statewide Extension network and proximity to the Front Range innovation corridor provide streamlined engagement with regional and national industry, while an integrated veterinary teaching hospital supports translational studies. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, USDA, DOE, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, contracting, and startup formation, with incubator and collaboration space for industry partners.
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