A unique agricultural partnership between soybean farmers, researchers, seed companies, oil processors and food companies has been formed in order to monitor consumer demands. Its purpose is to provide the food industry with healthy and functional oil solutions.

The QUALISOY partnership has announced two new high-oleic soybean varieties, Plenishô and Vistiveô Gold, developed by Pioneer and Monsanto, respectively, to provide no-trans alternatives. Research by USB indicates 55% of Americans would be more likely to purchase products reformulated to eliminate trans fats. The new oils eliminate partial hydrogenation, a process that lengthens the shelflife of packaged foods, but produces cholesterol-raising trans fats.

Plenish high-oleic soy contains more than 75% oleic acid and linolenic content of <3% (vs. 22 and 7%, respectively, for commodity soy oil), which provides greater oil stability and flexibility in food applications. The oil has 20% less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil and 75% less than palm oil, making it a more attractive ingredient for consumer food products.

Vistive Gold contains a saturated fatty acid profile of 6%, which is 85% less than palm oil and 60% less than traditional soy. It contains 68-74% oleic acid and a linolenic content of <3%. The oil exhibits a fry life of 90 hours fry life vs. 67.5 for low-linolenic soy. Vistive Gold is in phase 4 of pre-launch development.

Application testing has shown high-oleic soybean oil can replace regular canola, soy and partially hydrogenated oils. Oxidative stability testing demonstrated that Plenish oil is 2-3 times as stable as regular soybean oil and as stable as commonly used partially hydrogenated oils.

The two oils have been used successfully in tests for snack food preparation for frying or spraying, to enhance mouthfeel and palatability. When used as a pan-release oil, high-oleic oils form a barrier that allows for a clean release of the cooked product, without flavor contribution. The increased oxidative stability of high-oleic oil results in lower polymerization and less gummy build-up on equipment.

Both high-oleic soybeans were developed using biotechnology tools and are subject to a registration process by the FDA and USDA. Plenish received full regulatory approval for North America in June 2010, with commercialization expected in 2012. Contract production programs ensure sufficient acreage is produced and are used to keep high-value soybeans identity-preserved. Pioneer and Monsanto offer both infrastructure and volume for low cost and consistent delivery.

Soymegaô, the worldís first omega-3 SDA (stearidonic acid) soybean oil, the result of a collaborative project between Solae and Monsanto, was also profiled at the 2010 IFT. SDA is directly converted to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), commonly found in fatty fish, and thus provides a source of omega-3s not solely dependent on marine sources. Monsanto completed U.S. regulatory submissions to USDA and FDA, as well as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notice. Pending completion of the regulatory process, commercialization is anticipated around 2012. pf
 

For more information:
QUALISOY * Chesterfield, Mo.
info@QUALISOY.com