PulseON^TM,  is the trademark name for a unique whole cell pulse flour being commercialised by the new spin out company PulseON Food Ingredients Ltd. This new ingredient is made entirely from legumes including pulses (for example, chickpeas, beans or lentils), and is processed in a unique way that preserves the beneficial whole plant cell structures. Researchers are uncovering that these whole plant cells have a range of beneficial effects, and can be used to improve the nutrition and health credentials of everyday food products.

The first PulseON Science Symposium brought together researchers and business professionals from different organisations around the UK to share knowledge and discuss ideas around whole cell food ingredients such as PulseON^TM.

Some researchers were completely new to this topic, while others had been involved in the discovery and development of PulseON since the beginning.

Sharing science of whole cell food ingredients

Teams at Sheffield Hallam University, King’s College London, and Quadram Institute presented research project updates covering a diverse range of topics. These topics included the potential and mechanisms by which PulseON and whole legume cells influence how full we feel (satiety), blood sugar levels (glycaemia) and the gut microbiome, as well as sensory aspects . Flash talks also highlighted ongoing work on the uses of cooking water from pulses, known as ‘aquafaba’, and opportunities for using PulseON in sports performance products.

This was supported by a food product showcase, where we tasted early product prototypes and test foods being used in clinical trials.

There was an exciting complementary mix of scientific disciplines, and the discussions flowed seamlessly between food science, plant cell wall chemistry, nutritional science, microbiology, biophysics, biochemistry and clinical human studies.

Translating science into the real world

PulseON Muffins developed by Dr C Millman and colleagues from Sheffield Hallam University were one of the featured in the product showcase. Photo by Alexander Georgiou, Quadram Institute

During the symposium, scientists also had the opportunity to ask questions about business operations and commercial opportunities for PulseONTM during a ‘Fireside chat’ session.

Paul Dobson (acting Financial Director of PulseON) and Jacek Obuchowicz (Co-Inventor of PulseON), answered a diverse range of questions on research translation, business models and food-product compatibility. The fireside discussion helped to develop a broader understanding of the complexity of translation and insight into how the food supply chains work.

The discussion covered challenging topics such as ingredient pricing and balancing this against the desire to deliver healthier foods to all reaches of society without a prohibitive price tag. Getting healthier food options onto supermarket shelves emerged as a common motivation and is clearly a strong value central to PulseON^TM for both science and business teams alike.

Developing new ideas and connections

Overall, this mixture of experience and expertise provided a stimulating environment for development of ideas and new interpretations. Frequent exchanges of knowledge and views between industry and academic scientists from different scientific disciplines added insight, perspective and value to the field.

Overall, the meeting achieved its goal in bringing new awareness of the various related research activities that are going on across the UK. Newcomers expressed a strong desire to be part of this work going forward, and everyone left the meeting having forged new or stronger connections. Business delegates left with a greater appreciation for the integrity of the scientific process and added their perspectives throughout.

As part of the symposium, we agreed follow-up activities to develop funding applications and collaborative work. It is exciting that scientific research on whole cell ingredients is developing a new area of fundamental and translational science!

The event was sponsored by the Quadram Institute Bioscience’s Institute Development Grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which provided travel and accommodation for the delegates to attend. This facilitated meeting participation by delegates travelling from Wales, Sheffield, London, and East Midlands.

Many of the delegates had not previously met, so we enjoyed getting to know each other over a networking dinner at Namaste restaurant in Norwich on the evening before the symposium.

Overall, the first PulseON Science Symposium event was a huge success, and we hope to repeat this event every six to nine months, rotating between organisations.

Dr Balazs Bajka kindly and eagerly volunteered to host the next meeting at King’s College London, and we are all very much looking forward to the next one!