FoodTech start-up ChickP Protein Ltd has launched a next-gen native starch developed from chickpea for food and beverage applications. It is non-GMO and a co-product of ChickP protein process using proprietary technology. 

The launch by the Israel-headquartered firm follows its successful introduction last year of a line of innovative chickpea isolates specifically designed for plant-based dairy alternative products. The new native chickpea starch eliminates food waste during processing and ensures a sustainable, clean ingredient. It has a uniquely high amylose to amylopectin ratio, with neutral taste and no aroma.

Good gelling, thickening and anti-caking properties

Due to its narrow granules size distribution compared to pea and potato starches, ChickP Native Starch provides better gelling and thickening properties. As a result, it can be used as a thickening/binding agent in a variety of food applications, including soups, sauces, confectionery, dairy, baked goods, desserts, meat, plant-based meat analogs, and many more applications. 

ChickP Native Starch also is an excellent raw material for production of extruded snack products and can be deployed as an anti-caking agent for powdered blends, such as instant soups, spices and premixes.

Global rise in launches of products with starches

According to Innova Market Insights, the use of specifically identified starches in food and beverage launches has increased globally, featuring a seven-per-cent year-on-year growth when comparing 2019 and 2018 launches. In 2019, the top category of global product launches tracked with starches was Bakery (27 per cent), with corn starch being the leading ingredient among the starches tracked. The top positionings of global product launches tracked with starches in 2019 were ‘No Additives/Preservatives (17 per cent)’, ‘Gluten-Free (15 per cent)’, and ‘Vegetarian (9 per cent)’.

Extending the purity approach

“The inspiration for developing a native chickpea starch was to offer another purified fraction from chickpea – similar to ChickP’s isolated protein, which contains 90-per-cent protein,” explained Ram Reifen, MD, founder and CSO of ChickP. “We’ve extended the purity approach by introducing our pure native chickpea starch, with more than 98-per-cent starch content.”

The start-up’s cutting-edge ability to separate and purify the solid components of the chickpea (protein, starch and fibres) allows it to offer food manufacturers pure, high-value, functional ingredients that bring significant flexibility to incorporate other ingredients into the formula based on targeted nutritional and functional properties. This can be accomplished without compromise, said the firm, due to the removal of existing impurities, such as oil (which leads to rapid oxidation and decreased shelf life), fibres (that can impart rough textures in some food applications), and other micronutrients that negatively impact flavour and colour.

“The ChickP technical team is currently developing food applications using our Native chickpea starch,” added Ron Klein, CEO of ChickP. “We invite companies to collaborate with us to create new plant-based products that meet all the demands of today’s informed consumers.”