The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) has recognised new innovations in agtech at its annual awards, including Nourish Ingredients, which is helping to make alternative proteins taste better.
The 2021 ICM Agrifood Award was received by two scientists – Dr Anna El-Tahchy, chief technical officer at Nourish Ingredients, and Dr Lindsay Bell, Farming Systems Scientist at CSIRO.
Nourish Ingredients is creating animal-free fats as a sustainable and healthier alternative to traditionally used palm and coconut oils in alternative protein foods through fermentation. El-Tahchy has been leading the team of scientists developing such ingredients.
“The texture is exactly what we need to supplement these proteins without having to overload the products with them. So, there will be less carbohydrates, better taste and it’s actually mimicking animal fats,” El-Tahchy said.
“I feel very proud to be awarded the ICM Agrifood Award and it came at the right time where I have been making that big step from a research organisation into a start-up.”
Meanwhile, Bell has focused his research on redesigning cropping systems and re-integrating crops and livestock to more efficiently use highly variable rainfall to increase profitability and reduce losses during droughts.
“Growing up on a farm in western Queensland I have firsthand experience with many of the challenges facing agriculture,” Dr Bell said.
“This has driven me to try to identify practices, technology and markets that help farmers become more viable in the short and long term.”
To view the full list of the 2021 ATSE Awards winners click here.
Look out for the upcoming Food & Drink Business July magazine for a profile on Nourish Ingredients.
