Novel ingredients hold the key to creating an appealing and sustainable array of alternative proteins.

Plant-based meat, egg, and dairy products have made significant advancements in the last five years. Products are now available that satisfy the taste requirements of consumers beyond traditional vegans and vegetarians. However, it’s still challenging to recreate the full experience of conventional animal products like whole-muscle cut chicken or melty cheese. 

This article discusses ingredients derived from plants or through microbial fermentation that can provide these missing functionalities. These include proteins, fats, and other raw materials from cereals and legumes as well as from the biomass of fungi, algae, and bacteria. These also include recombinant proteins, animal proteins like casein and whey produced via microbial fermentation. The article explores formulation strategies using these ingredients to create animal-free meat, egg, and dairy alternatives.