042: Microalgae: Sustainable Superfood Emerges as Power Player in Alt Proteins with Yonatan Golan
Essential Ingredients Podcast
English - July 05, 2022 13:00 - 16 minutes - 13 MB - ★★★★★ - 127 ratingsNutrition Health & Fitness Business Entrepreneurship Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Future Food-Tech Alternative Proteins Series Part V
in partnership with Future Food-Tech Alternative Proteins Summit, NYC June 21 - 22, 2022
Episode Description:
“To produce alternative protein that tastes good is a very challenging problem. And this is not something that can just be brute-forced. We had to develop a unique technological solution to produce alternative protein very cost-effectively and with flavor and color suitable for the food industry.” -Yonatan Golan
Food security is one of the largest global crises we face today. To feed the population and continue moving towards a better-for-you food system, we need sustainable sources.
Brevel, an Israeli startup cofounded by the Golan brothers Yonatan (CEO), Ido (CTO), and Matan (GM). This family trio joined their unique set of skills to give a new meaning to sustainability in the alternative protein space. Brevel uses microalgae as the main ingredient in their alternative meat products. It’s being called the “ghost protein”, because when introduced, microalgae does not alter the final product’s taste, texture and color. When compared to other leading alternatives such as soy or pea protein, microalgae consume less water, require very little to no land use, and emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In fact, microalgae produce the majority of the Earth’s oxygen.
Brevel isn’t the first company to grow and harvest microalgae; however, they are doing it differently and, according to Yonatan, ‘more affordably and effectively.’ Brevel decided to combine heterotrophy and phototrophy, which results in higher and more consistent yields- and their process is fully automated.
In this episode, Justine talks with Yonatan about the future of sustainable food regarding microalgae. Yonatan shares the inspiration behind this dream project, how Brevel achieved the right technology to make it happen, while incorporating moral and ethical values in their processes.
Meet Yonatan:
Yonatan is passionate about making the world a better place through sustainable nutrition, social change and cutting-edge science. He transitioned to a vegan diet in 2012 and believes in a bright future on this planet. Yonatan has led Brevel's growth from a small startup to an innovative, evolving global player in the microalgae industry, raising more than $9M and winning various awards and international recognition.
Prior to founding Brevel, Yonatan co-founded and managed a food co-op (2012-16) with more than 400 member-workers, leading it through its profitability and growth stages. He holds an MSc in biophysics with a publication in Nature.
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Episode Highlights:
01:03 Brevel on the Mission
04:07 Addressing the 3 Biggest Issues in the Alternative Protein Space
07:39 The Future of Food with Microalgae
11:23 What People Are Saying
14:10 Meeting Sustainability Partners