CJ introduces rice bran fiber and protein
The company said its rice bran fiber, called Riber50, is a non-GMO ingredient composed mostly of insoluble fibers, suitable for use in cereals, baked goods, pasta products and supplements, among other applications. Its rice bran protein, called RiPro80, provides an easily digestible vegan source of protein and all nine essential amino acids, the company said.
RiPro80 is suitable for use in health foods including cereals, snacks, protein bars, drink mixes and baby food, CJ added.
The ingredients are being marketed as gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan alternatives to whey and soy proteins and fiber.
Senior executive vice president of the global food business division at CJ Dong Joon Kim said: “CJ formulated RiPro80 and Riber50 through a proprietary extraction technology and is the first to develop low temperature extraction of protein, which creates a more natural protein, allowing higher digestibility, higher solubility and higher dispersibility. Because rice bran has a higher solubility compared with other vegetable proteins and fibers, our products are easy to digest and compatible with virtually all food recipes.”
The company said it has invested over $30m to produce the protein from brown rice and to extract it from rice bran.
CJ said that other advantages of the ingredients include a mild taste, allowing them to be used in a variety of foods and applications; hypoallergenicity; and higher levels of protein and fiber than white rice, but fewer carbohydrates.
RiPro is also stable at high temperatures, the company said, allowing for consistent protein content and quality.
Senior executive vice president of the food ingredients business unit at CJ, Jae Ho Lee, said: “With all nine essential amino acids, vitamin B and vitamin E, antioxidants and high-quality unsaturated fatty acids, our proprietary formulas are designed to promote healthy body functionality for all ages.”
CJ introduced the ingredients at the IFT expo in Chicago last month.
