Interview with Anna Chmielewska, Analysis and Application Development Manager at NapiFeryn BioTech

Anna Chmielewska contributes to Work Package 2: Protein Analysis and Food Application, where NapiFeryn provides rapeseed protein isolate and rapeseed protein-fibre concentrate. This work is conducted in collaboration with partners such as VTT, MATIS, IRTA, and UCC. NapiFeryn is also engaged in scaling up these innovations and preparing for commercialization, integrating insights from Giant Leaps into their strategic development.

Anna, to begin, could you provide details on the technological innovations NapiFeryn has developed for obtaining food-grade proteins from oilseeds? How do these innovations address current challenges in plant-based product formulation and production?

At NapiFeryn BioTech, we have developed and patented a unique technology for extracting food-grade proteins from oilseeds, with a particular focus on rapeseed. Our process utilizes rapeseed cake—the byproduct left after oil extraction, which is typically used as animal feed.

Our technology allows us to produce two complementary products: Raptein®90, a rapeseed protein isolate, and Raptein®30, a rapeseed protein-fibre concentrate. One of our major innovations is overcoming the challenge of antinutritional compounds like polyphenols that can negatively impact sensory attributes such as taste and color. Our method effectively removes these compounds, resulting in proteins with a neutral taste and color, free from bitter off-notes.

Additionally, our technology is better than traditional soybean protein production methods by avoiding harmful solvents like hexane and preserving the protein in its native, functional state thanks to mild process conditions. This results in proteins that offer excellent dispersibility, emulsification, and water/oil binding properties, which are essential for various food formulations.

As an internal project manager for NapiFeryn in the Giant Leaps project, what key contributions has your team made to WP2? What outcomes do you expect from your involvement, and how do you foresee your products being used in the final food prototypes?

In the Giant Leaps project, our primary role in WP2 has been to produce and deliver rapeseed protein isolate and rapeseed protein-fibre concentrate. These products are being analyzed and processed by our WP2 partners.

We view our rapeseed proteins as a benchmark within this project, where they are being compared to other emerging protein sources such as insect powder and mycoprotein. Our aim is to demonstrate the functionality and versatility of our products in various food prototypes. By showcasing their performance, we hope to highlight their potential benefits and applications in the final food products.

Collaborative projects like Giant Leaps often involve building valuable partnerships and exchanging expertise. Could you share how NapiFeryn has leveraged its involvement in Giant Leaps to establish new relationships or enhance knowledge sharing? Are there particular partners you are collaborating with closely?

Participating in the Giant Leaps project has been instrumental in expanding our network and sharing expertise. We are collaborating closely with WP2 partners such as VTT, MATIS, IRTA, and UCC, who have been testing and evaluating our products.

These collaborations have provided opportunities to discuss results, share insights, and explore various analytical approaches. The diverse participation in this project has been a valuable learning experience, and the excellent coordination by the project team has facilitated productive interactions. This experience has also contributed to enhancing our own practices and knowledge.

Looking to the future, what are the next steps for NapiFeryn in terms of product development and commercialization, particularly regarding your rapeseed protein ingredients? How will you incorporate feedback from the Giant Leaps project into your future plans?

Our next steps involve scaling up our technology and preparing for commercialization through licensing agreements. We are focusing on adapting our processes to meet industrial standards, including the development of a full-scale biorefinery for rapeseed.

Projects like Giant Leaps are crucial for showcasing the potential of our rapeseed proteins and building relationships with key industry partners. We will use the feedback and findings from this project to refine our technology and strategies, ensuring that our products meet market needs and can be effectively integrated into various food formulations. This iterative process is essential for our continued success and growth.