Sustainable Protein Sources

Protein plays a critical role in human nutrition. Although animal-derived proteins constitute the majority of the protein we consume, plant-derived proteins can satisfy the same requirement with less environmental impact. Sustainable Protein Sources allows readers to understand how alternative proteins such as plant, fungal, algal, and insect protein can take the place of more costly and less efficient animal-based sources.

Sustainable Protein Sources presents the various benefits of plant and alternative protein consumption, including those that benefit the environment, population, and consumer trends. The book presents chapter-by-chapter coverage of protein from various sources, including cereals and legumes, oilseeds, pseudocereals, fungi, algae, and insects. It assesses the nutrition, uses, functions, benefits, and challenges of each of these proteins. The book also explores opportunities to improve utilization and addresses everything from ways in which to increase consumer acceptability, to methods of improving the taste of products containing these proteins, to the ways in which policies can affect the use of plant-derived proteins. In addition, the book delves into food security and political issues which affect the type of crops that are cultivated and the sources of food proteins. The book concludes with required consumer choices such as dietary changes and future research ideas that necessitate vigorous debate for a sustainable planet.

• Introduces the need to shift current animal-derived protein sources to those that are more plant-based
• Presents a valuable compendium on plant and alternate protein sources covering land, water, and energy uses for each type of protein source
• Discusses nutritive values of each protein source and compares each alternate protein to more complete proteins
• Provides an overview of production, including processing, protein isolation, use cases, and functionality
• Presents solutions to challenges, along with taste modulation
• Focuses on non-animal derived proteins
• Identifies paths and choices that require consumer and policymaker debate and action

Dr. Sudarshan Nadathur is Chief Flavorist - Dairy & Protein, with ADM Nutrition. His career of 25 years has been in the Flavor industry, where he has held both regional and international roles supporting research, flavor creation, and developing new business. With a keen interest in Health and Sustainability, Dr. Nadathur has authored articles on dairy and related topics, the importance of changing our diets and improving the tastes of plant-based foods. He was actively involved with the Sustainability area of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) over the last several years including chair of the Sustainability program for the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Advisory Panel. Dr. Nadathur has degrees in Chemistry / Biochemistry from India, Masters in Food Science from the University of Delaware, a Doctorate in Food Science & Technology from Oregon State University and is a Certified Food Scientist.

Dr. Janitha Wanasundara is a Senior Research Scientist at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) while affiliating as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. She holds a doctorate in Food Science and has over 25 years of experience in the food chemistry, protein chemistry and food technology areas as a researcher and a university level educator. Dr. Wanasundara’s research efforts are to understand seed proteins for their optimum use in supporting environmentally sustainable healthy foods and renewable bioproducts. Dr. Wanasundara has contributed to more than 85 peer reviewed publications and book chapters in the field of food science and holds a patent on protein processing of Brassicaceae oilseeds. She has been involved in organizing various scientific conferences and made presentations and webinars on science and technology relevant for the developing plant protein industry. Dr. Wanasundara is a Certified Food Scientist.

Dr. Laurie Scanlin is Director of Research and Development at Ardent Mills. Her career spans over 25 years in food and beverage product development, taking concepts from research through full-scale commercialization for ingredient, retail, and food service companies. She holds a doctorate in Food Science and Human Nutrition and is Affiliate Professor at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Dr. Scanlin is committed to sustainable, plant-based and alternative protein sources and has been a selected international presenter on this global topic. She is also principal inventor of U.S. Patent "Quinoa Protein Concentrate, Production, and Functionality" and past chair of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Food Technologists.