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Sophie's BioNutrients: Growing Sustainable Microalgae Proteins for a Better Future
The Modern Health Nerd Podcast, Episode #43
Can some of the smallest living things on the planet change the future of the food system—and create a better world? According to Eugene Wang, microalgae has that power.
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Through his company, Sophie's BioNutrients, Eugene and his team are fermenting and extracting unique microalgae proteins suitable for a creating a variety of plant-based food products.
Their proteins are sustainable, affordable and can be grown anywhere.
We cover a ton of ground in this super-nerdy episode, including:
- Eugene's unique background in plant-based food manufacturing
- How using fermentation to grow microalgae increases the protein's sustainability and lowers costs
- How quickly and prolifically microalgae grows compared to animal and plant proteins
- How microalgae protein can provide for increased protein demands at a lower financial and environmental cost than common proteins like soy
- Unique products Sophie's BioNutrients has been able to create using its microalgae proteins
- Nutrient profile of microalgae protein vs. soy
- The properties that may make microalgae versatile enough to withstand extreme climate conditions
- Overcoming consumers' innate resistance to change to help them embrace new food categories and flavors
About Eugene
Eugene Wang grew up immersed in the vegetarian food business. Since 2010, his vision for launching Sophie’s Kitchen, the first Plant-Based Seafood Alternative, has manifested into a viable innovation.
Sophie’s Kitchen had won numerous recognitions from companies like PepsiCo and Chipotle.In 2019, Eugene took alternative protein to the microorganism level and started another venture: Sophie’s BioNutrients Singapore. He won $1 million SGD at The Livability Challenge 2019 with this project and started protein fermentation facility in Singapore.
About Sophie's BioNutrients
Using a proprietary strain of microalgae grown in a fermentation tank, Sophie's BioNutrients is creating a new, sustainable plant-based protein. This results in a product that's 60% protein and has a high-quality essential amino acid profile that exceeds the WHO requirements for protein products.
Sustainability is inherent in the process.
The growing system can be set up near metropolitan areas to cut down the needs for agriculture and transportation, improve food security and reduce risks associated with supply chain disruption. The 3- to 10-day production cycle creates protein in a fraction of the time required for soy or beef and can be fueled entirely by industrial food waste.
Sophie's BioNutrients microalgae require very little water and only the land needed to set up an indoor production facility. With no need for fertilizer, herbicide, antibiotics, or growth hormones, it's truly healthy for both the environment and the human body.
Connect with Eugene & Learn More About the Company
For Further Listening
- Tony Martens (Plantible Foods), episode #1
- Robin Simsa (Revo Foods), episode #20
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