Quorn (United Kingdom)

Dietary intake is a major determinant of later life course outcomes, with poor dietary intake linked with increased incidence of non-communicable diseases. Protein under-nutrition is a contributing factor to declining health in community dwelling older adults. Mycoprotein is a food ingredient produced from the fermentation of Fusarium venenatum, that is high in protein and fibre, has a complete amino acid profile as well as being low in fat(1). The aim of this study was to utilise in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion models to determine the extent of variability in the digestibility profile of mycoprotein when comparing a standard adult model, to the older adult model.Freezed dried Mycoprotein paste was subjected to in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion, using a computer controlled bioreactor system(2), utilising optimised conditions which simulated both adult and older adult gastrointestinal conditions(3). Following digestion, absorbable and non-absorbable protein fractions were separated and the protein content determined determined using total nitrogen analysis (Rapid Max N exceed, Elementar UK) and total amino acid analysis via ion exchange chromatography with post-column ninhydrin derivitisation (Hitachi LA8080, Avantor UK). All values were corrected using blank (protein free) digestions containing only digestive enzymes.After mass balance correction (for protein content of digestive enzymes and non-protein nitrogen), total in-vitro protein digestibility of mycoprotein was 65.0 % (SD 0.03 %) using standard digestion conditions in triplicate. For conditions that simulated older adult digestion, total protein digestibility was reduced by 3.4 %. Digestibility of indispensable amino acids between the two models, were non-significant (p > 0.05). Previously published trials have shown that for plant based feedstocks, protein digestibility reduced by up to 20 % using older adult conditions.As the global food system evolves to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population and challenges of Net Zero, there is potential for high protein plant based alternatives to meet the nutritional needs of an ageing population. This work has demonstrated that the digestion of mycoprotein is largely unaffected by the changing gastrointestinal conditions of older adults and therefore could play an important role in future nutritional support strategies for older adults.

Fungal hyphae have demonstrated their importance in developing environmentally friendly, multiscale, composite assemblies where animal-derived proteins have been predominantly used as binders. Now, an ongoing challenge is to replace those high-performance animal protein binders with ecofriendly, plant-based alternatives. While the majority of studies have focused on the binding implied by rheological observations, relatively little is known about how such animal proteins bind to hyphal surfaces at nanometric length scales, and this knowledge is required to replace animal-derived binders with plant protein alternatives. Here, we decode intermolecular interactions of plant protein-based binders such as potato protein (PoP) to fungal (Fusarium venenatum) hyphae in comparison to a classic animal protein-based binder (egg white protein, EWP) using a suite of theoretical and experimental approaches. Self-consistent field calculations modeling fungal hyphae as weakly hydrophobic, parallel cylinders predicted differences in the interaction potentials between the model protein layers, showing that EWP had an attractive potential across a broad range of conditions, in contrast to PoP that was mainly repulsive. Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy of protein-coated fungal hyphae confirmed that EWP delivers a uniform and complete coverage, while PoP naturally aggregates, resulting in more patchy coverage. Experimental interaction forces were measured using colloidal probe atomic force microscopy, confirming the influence of non-Coulombic forces particularly dominating in PoP, and attractive forces in EWP, further differentiating their respective binding mechanisms. Collectively, this multimethodological study provides a first-hand molecular explanation of the weaker hyphal-binding properties of aggregated plant proteins at the nanoscale, consistent with the previously reported macroscale observations.

Shifting towards predominantly plant-based diets is an important tool in addressing population and planetary health, and diversifying protein intakes is part of this.(1) Whilst updating the Eatwell Guide to include a diverse range of protein sources can encourage individuals to adopt more varied and sustainable dietary patterns, understanding healthcare and food professionals’ perspectives on which protein sources to include in dietary guidelines is essential for effective recommendations, which this research aimed to explore.Between 8-31 March 2024, an incentivised survey was distributed to members of the MyNutriWeb community, made up primarily of healthcare and food professionals. A part of the survey aimed to gain insights about which protein sources respondents recommend when supporting people with their protein consumption, and which should be included if the visual representation of the Eatwell Guide was to be updated.Of the 865 respondents, the majority (65%) were dietitians and nutritionists, with 12% being students and the remaining respondents representing various other healthcare and food professions. When supporting people with their protein consumption, 92% (of 748 respondents) regularly recommend legumes and pulses, 87% fish, 85% eggs, 72% poultry, 57% soy/tempeh/tofu, 47% unprocessed red meat (e.g. beef, pork, lamb), 34% mycoprotein (e.g. fungi meat alternatives like Quorn) and 2% processed meat (e.g. sausages, bacon, ham, salami, pies, burgers, pâtés, canned meat). When asked which protein sources should be included if the Eatwell Guide protein description was to be updated, 90% (of 643 respondents) selected soy/tempeh/tofu, 88% legumes and pulses, 79% eggs, 78% mycoprotein, 78% fish, 74% poultry, 63% unprocessed red meat and 6% processed meat. 10% also selected ‘other’ and 25 of the 64 additional comments provided mentioned nuts and seeds. In relation to the brief protein description included on the Eatwell Guide visual, 53% (of 635 respondents) responded yes to an update supporting people to consider more fungi and plant-based proteins within their diet, and only 6% responded no. The remaining 41% responded that it depends or other, and the most prominent additional comment was on the need to keep fish, eggs and meat in the description.This survey reveals a consensus among healthcare and food professionals regarding the importance of including a variety of protein sources in dietary guidelines. Legumes, pulses, fish, and eggs were among the most recommended protein sources, emphasizing the significance of both non-animal and animal-based proteins in a balanced diet. While there was strong support for including more non-animal protein foods such as soy, legumes, and mycoprotein in the Eatwell Guide, respondents also emphasized the importance of retaining animal protein sources. This suggests that a balanced approach, incorporating non-animal (plant and fungi) and animal-based proteins, is widely supported among professionals for promoting healthier and more sustainable eating habits.

BackgroundSubstituting dietary meat and fish for mycoprotein, a fungal-derived food source rich in protein and fibre, decreases circulating cholesterol concentrations in laboratory-controlled studies. However, whether these findings can be translated to a home-based setting, and to decrease cholesterol concentrations in overweight and hypercholesterolemic individuals, remains to be established. ObjectiveWe investigated whether a remotely-delivered, home-based dietary intervention of mycoprotein-containing food products would affect various circulating cholesterol moieties and other markers of cardio-metabolic health in overweight (BMI >27.5 kg·m-2) and hypercholesterolaemic (>5.0 mmol·L-1) adults. MethodsSeventy-two participants were randomized into a controlled, parallel-group trial conducted in a free-living setting, in which they received home deliveries of either meat/fish control products (CON; n=39; BMI 33±1 kg·m-2; 13 males, 26 females) or mycoprotein-containing food products (MYC; n=33; BMI 32±1 kg·m-2; 13 males, 20 females) for 4 weeks. Fingertip blood samples were collected and sent via postal service before and after the dietary intervention period and analysed for concentrations of serum lipids, blood glucose and c-peptide. ResultsSerum total cholesterol concentrations were unchanged throughout the intervention in CON, but decreased by 5±2% in MYC (from 5.4±0.2 to 5.1±0.2 mmol·L-1; P<0.05). Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were also unchanged in CON, but decreased in MYC by 10±3% and 6±2% (both by 0.3±0.1 mmol·L-1; P<0.05). Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and free triglyceride concentrations were unaffected in CON or MYC. Post-intervention, MYC displayed lower mean blood glucose (3.7±0.2 versus 4.3±0.2 mmol·L-1) and c-peptide (779±76 vs. 1064±86 pmol·L-1) concentrations (P<0.05) vs. CON. ConclusionsWe show that a home-based dietary intervention of mycoprotein-containing food products effectively lowers circulating cholesterol concentrations in overweight, hypercholesterolemic adults. This demonstrates that mycoprotein consumption is a feasible and ecologically valid dietary strategy to improve markers of cardio-metabolic health in an at-risk population under free living conditions. Clinical trial registrationNCT04773483 (https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04773483)

This study investigated the microstructure and interactions of heat treated concentrated Fusarium venenatum biomass, commonly referred to as ‘mycoprotein’ (MYC), as well as the impact of 3 wt % egg white protein (EWP) on those interactions – EWP being frequently added as a ‘binding agent’. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis (EDS) demonstrated the filamentous nature of the MYC, made up of chitin and protein, with a filament aspect ratio typically between 130 and 140. Protein extraction and analysis via SDS-PAGE electrophoresis suggested that the most abundant native protein in the MYC had a molecular weight of 69.2 kDa, probably belonging to the heat shock 70 (HSP70) group. Frequency sweep dynamic shear rheology measurements were performed at combinations of 3 different values of pH (3, 5 and 7), NaCl concentration ([NaCl] = 0, 100 and 200 mM), CaCl2 concentration ([CaCl2] = 0, 50 and 100 mM) and wt. % MYC solids (5, 10, 15 and 20) without added EWP and with added EWP (MYC-EWP). For MYC the storage modulus G′ was seen to increase strongly with increasing wt. % MYC solids but also with [NaCl] and [CaCl2], the latter having greater impact at pH 5 and 7. The opposite trends were observed at pH 3, where G′ decreased with increasing concentration of ions, the highest G′ values for MYC occurring at pH 3 with no added salts. This suggests that electrostatic interactions between the MYC elements are key to the overall texture. On addition of EWP, there was good evidence that EWP completely coats the filaments so that, the hyphal interactions of MYC-EWP are then dominated by the response of EWP to changes in pH and salt composition. Gaining further understanding of the strength and distribution of the loci of these interactions is therefore key to better control of the texture of such meat analogues.

This study provides the first mapping of mycoprotein functionality, composition and structure throughout the Quorn fermentation process. The fermentation broth, RNA-reduced broth (RNA-broth), centrate and their centrifugation deposits and supernatants were characterised. The broth, RNA-broth and their deposits displayed high concentrations of fungal filaments, which contributed to their high gelling properties (with a 5,320 Pa elastic modulus reported for RNA-broth deposits gels). Foams prepared with RNA-broth and centrate supernatants via frothing exhibited high stability (380 min), with high concentrations of a foam-positive cerato-platanin reported in these samples. Emulsions prepared with the broth and broth supernatant showed high emulsifying activity and stability indexes (12.80 m2/g and 15.84 mins for the broth supernatant) and low oil droplet sizes (18.09 µm for the broth). This study identified previously unreported gelling, foaming and/or emulsifying properties for the different Quorn streams, highlighting opportunities to develop novel sustainable alternatives to animal-derived functional ingredients using mycoprotein material.

Sustainable diets, which contribute to food security and health are the focus of many policy discussions around the world. The translation of sustainable diets into national and regional dietary guidance is necessary for shifts in population-based behaviour. Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are one such tool for conveying dietary advice, indeed, the National Food Strategy recommends that 'an updated "reference diet" for the nation' should be developed' which considers both health and sustainability. However, many, including the UK EatWell Guide, have not specifically considered sustainability in their development That said, following the Eatwell Guide has a lower environmental impact than the typical UK diet Dietitians frequently use the Eatwell Guide to disseminate dietary advice to patients/clients. To understand whether dietitians agree with the inclusion of the latest sustainability principles within the UK FBDGs, all dietitians who are members of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) were invited to participate in an online survey (Google Forms, Menlo Park, California) via e-mail between 25th November and 18th December 2021. The survey assessed attitudes towards sustainability and alternative proteins, including mycoprotein (a protein derived from fungi) within FBDGs, as part of a larger multiple-choice survey, which aimed to identify views on various public health issues. Three questions focused on the EatWell Guide, with five additional questions on sustainability within their professional practice. A total of 188 responses were received. Respondents worked in a wide variety of specialties including 23.9% (n = 45) in weight management, 18.6% (n = 35) in parenteral nutrition and 16.5% (n = 35) in diabetes and pediatrics equally 2.7% (n = 5) reported working within the field of sustainability. A total of 72.3% (n = 136) of dietitians agreed that the EatWell Guide should be updated to better reflect sustainable diets. When asked where they thought meat-alternatives should be represented within FBDGs, 91.5% (n = 172) stated that they should be visually represented among the protein food group and 81.9% (n = 154) agreed that mycoprotein should also be included in this food group pictorially.

A range of generic active pharmaceutical ingredients were examined for potential chiral alcohol motifs and derivatives within their structures that could be employed as key synthetic intermediates. For seven generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), eight precursor ketones were acquired and then subjected to reduction by >400 commercially available ketone reductases from different suppliers. Positive screening results were achieved for five ketones screened, with multiple ketone reductases available for each successful ketone. Selectivity was typically >99.5% ee in most cases, including for the opposite enantiomer. The three best examples were then optimized and quickly scaled up to 1 L scale in high conversion and isolated yield while retaining selectivity of >99.5% ee for the desired chiral alcohol enantiomer. This work illustrates that where a wide range of enzymes are available, productive enzymes to give either alcohol enantiomer can be readily identified for many ketones and rapidly scaled up to produce chiral alcohols. This approach is particularly applicable to generating chiral API intermediates.

Cronobacter malonaticus is a member of the genus Cronobacter which is considered an opportunistic pathogen. The significance of C. malonaticus has recently increased since it was documented to be involved in several serious neonatal infections. However, the virulence factors of C. malonaticus including their ability to adhere, invade and overcome host barriers have not been studied before. Unlike previous Cronobacter research, this study is mainly focused on C. malonaticus and is aimed to investigate its virulence characteristics that enable this species to cause adult and neonatal infections. Altogether, 20 strains were included in this study (19 clinical and one environmental strain). Our data showed that the clinical C. malonaticus has an ability to adhere and invade Caco-2, HBMEC, A549 and T24 cell lines. Moreover, the result showed that certain strains of C. malonaticus (including 1827 and 2018) were able to persist well in macrophages. However, ST7 strains 1827 and 2018 proved to be the most invasive strains among all used strains. The CDC strain 1569 (ST307) which was isolated from the blood of a fatal neonatal case showed also significant results in this study as it was able to invade all used human cells and survive and replicate within microphages. Finally, the findings of this study confirm the potential ability of C. malonaticus to cause serious infections in neonates or adults such as necrotising enterocolitis, meningitis, bacteraemia, pneumonia and urinary tract infection.

The facultative root hemi-parasite Rhinanthus minor is often used in grassland habitat restoration projects to regulate ecosystem structure and function. Its impact on community productivity and diversity as a function of resource supply, sward composition and management has been widely investigated. However, there is a lack of information about the possible influence of seed quality on the efficacy of the hemi-parasite. Ten seed lots from commercial sources were sown in the field and their germination characteristics investigated in the laboratory. Seeds from four lots were also germinated and sown in pots alongside plants of two host species, Lotus corniculatus and Holcus lanatus. Plant establishment, height and flowering density were evaluated for the hemi-parasite, while plant biomass was measured for both R.minor and its host. Two aspects of seed quality influenced the field emergence of seed lots of R.minor, the radicle emergence (%) and the length of the lag period from the beginning of imbibition to germination (mean germination time), which indicates seed vigour. A longer lag period (lower vigour) was associated with higher levels of seedling mortality and lower plant vigour, in terms of plant height and biomass accumulation and was also reflected in the parasitic impact of the seed lots. Seed quality, specifically germination and vigour, can influence the establishment, survival, subsequent plant productivity and parasitic impact of R.minor in vegetation restoration projects. Seed quality is discussed as a key factor to consider when predicting the impact of the hemi-parasite on community productivity and diversity.