Nature's sweetener library: fermentation-derived functional sugar replacement

Overview

A fermentation-derived sweetener platform leverages a genomically characterized biobank of 720 non-conventional yeast strains to develop natural, fermentation-derived functional sugars. The approach supports discovery of strains producing erythritol (a zero-calorie bulk sweetener), FOS (a prebiotic fiber), and pullulan (a structured carbohydrate used for moisture and texture stabilization). Ingredients are non-GMO, naturally derived, and clean label compatible, intended to address diverse sugar reduction needs across food products.

Technical specifications

• Yeast Strain Platform: Utilizes a biobank of 720 wild yeast strains.
• Technology: High throughput phenotyping, whole genome sequencing, and AI-driven tools for strain discovery.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Erythritol for zero-calorie sweetness.
  • FOS for prebiotic benefits and sugar displacement.
  • Pullulan for texture and moisture control.
• Scalability: Production on low-cost lactose permeate streams to support sustainability.
• Clean Label: All ingredients are non-GMO and naturally derived.

Technology readiness level

The project is currently at Technology Readiness Level 3, progressing through structured phases from targeted discovery and selection to pilot scale-up. Phase 1 focuses on strain screening and evaluation, Phase 2 involves process optimization trials, and Phase 3 is about pilot scale readiness and commercial assessment.