Wellness focus : All Kinds Of Proteins

Proteins can be animal-based (like in meat, fish, milk, eggs) or plant-based (like cereals, legumes, oilseeds), microbiologically synthesised (from yeast and a variety of bacteria), and synthetic or artificial (produced after amino acid synthesis).

Animal proteins are the most expensive. Says a study that appears in the journal 'Sustainability', the systematic incorporation of alternative proteins in the human diet is becoming increasingly urgent as global meat costs rise.

Legumes, cereals, seeds, and nuts can all provide protein to the human body. Microalgae are considered to be an excellent source of functional and biologically-active nutrients for human nutritional needs.

Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris are the most popular microalgae on the global market today, both of which are marketed as standalone functional foods containing proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Insects, as a source of dietary protein, differ in protein content from 20 to 75%.

Such is the demand for protein, that investments in plant-based meat companies exceeded $350 million in 2020. Other research shows that the global market for edible insects was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2022. The market has continued to grow rapidly since then, with recent estimates placing its value at around $4.0 billion in 2024 and a forecast to reach over $13 billion by 2030. In a protein-obsessed world, the hunt for more and more food proteins continues.