How Food Additives Can Help You Keep Up with Plant-Based Trends
With an estimated 9 billion humans worldwide by 2050, the necessity for plant-based foods to feed the masses is becoming more than a good idea; it is becoming a crisis. Manufacturers are responding with food additives to ensure their products are as healthy or healthier than the proteins in standard animal-based diets. Food additive supplier Bell Chem’s vast array of food additives will help ensure plant-based trends become a way of life for consumers.
Adding plant-based proteins
Plant-based additives are generally used to entice consumers to transition from their meat-based diets. This leads to additives that change the texture, flavor, and juiciness of ingredients. The key protein for plants is soy, which packs more protein than any other plant. Soy is also a complete protein, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids necessary for cellular growth and repair.
Soy is not the only complete plant-based protein; many grains currently marketed as “ancient grains” are also included. Among these are quinoa, amaranth, hemp seeds, and chia seeds. The old standby of a bowl of rice and beans contains all 9 amino acids, as well.
Plant-based additive functions
Color: To make your products pop, add beta carotene for an orange color, turmeric for yellow, chlorophyll for green, cinnamon for brown, or activated charcoal for black.
Emulsification: The phospholipid lecithin is a natural derivative of flaxseed, soybeans, and sunflower nuts. As emulsifiers, these plant-based ingredients easily blend oil-based products with water, such as what occurs in peanut butter and salad dressing. Carrageenan is another great natural emulsifier and thickener, high on the list of food additives.
Flavor: from sour to sweet, flavorings run the gamut in creating the “correct” flavor in a food. Phenolic acids are responsible for sour and/or bitter flavor; flavonoids can create a spectrum of flavors - hence the name - from sweet to astringent. These magical antioxidants also reduce inflammation.
Preservation: Essential oils, such as orange or clove, deter fruit browning; tea tree, aloe vera, and citrus oils inhibit the breakdown of fruits and vegetables, keeping them fresher longer. Green tea extracts act as antioxidants as well, extending the shelf life of many products.
Bell Chem is a food additive supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including plant-based food additives. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.