Miller Magazine Issue: 128 August 2020

Innovations for a better world. “Healthy food” is currently the major consumer megatrend. But what exactly do consumers seek in this claim? It encompasses various needs including weight control, enforcing cardiovascular- and digestive health or organic and allergen-free products. But also the perceived benefit of pro- tein rich food has increased in recent years. With good reason: Protein is essential to life. Without this macronutrient - the body cannot function properly. Pulses. Bridging the protein gap sustainably. The name protein comes from the Greek word ‘proteos’, which me- ans primary or first place. According to FAO proteins make up about 17% of the mass of the average person. They are necessary in many ways for our health, especially for growth and for main- tenance and repair of the body. This makes it essential for children and adults alike. Proteins are needed to produce metabolic and di- gestive enzymes and they are a vital component of hormones such as insulin. For all above reasons, it is highly important to assure protein security. However, considering that by 2050 the projected world population will rise above 9 billion people, “traditional” protein from animal sources (meat, fish and dairy products) is not sustain- able. Vegetable protein sources need to fill this gap. Author: Alexandra Londoño Baderschneider Strategic Business Development Manager Milling Solutions Pulses are legumes with dry edible seeds. They include lentils, peas, beans and chickpeas. On average, one cup of pulses cont- ains more than twice the protein of one cup of corn or rice. Pulses are gluten free, low in fat and rich in fiber. Therefore, helping to im- prove digestion and prevent heart disease. As pulses have been an essential part of several regions’ diets for centuries, pulses are readily available. Annually about 80 million tons of pulses are har- vested with 65% destined to food applications. With the growing interest of the food industry to include pulses as ingredients in breads, snacks, beverages and meat products, the amount of food destination is raising at more than 4% yearly. And this is good because it is sustainable. Pulse crops require low energy to grow and increase soil fertility. There are more than 20 pulses varieties and the processing requi- rements for all are diverse and complex. Bühler has been able to close the gap in the value chain – helping processors around the world to adopt hygienic, sustainable and profitable methods to pro- cess pulses. Bühler provides technology for basic pulses proces- sing from efficient cleaning, sorting, de-hulling, splitting to grinding. Integrated processing solutions such as roasting, extrusion or tex- turing of protein-rich pulse flours into textured vegetable protein (TVP) products make Bühler the partner of choice for pulse proces- sors around the globe. Pulses will be essential to ensure sustainable protein security. Pi- oneering processing technology will allow exploiting the opportuni- ties of pulses as a sustainable protein source. And with consumers seeking healthy, convenient and tasty food products, the future of pulses looks very promising.