New Patent for Canola Protein

Burcon NutraScience Corporation, Vancouver, B.C., obtained a U.S. patent for a novel, commercially significant component of its protein extraction and purification technology. This patent (United States Patent No. 7,087,720; "Enhanced Oilseed Protein Recovery") covers processing conditions that give an improved yield of oilseed protein isolate, preferably canola protein isolate, using an aqueous extraction procedure of the oilseed meal. The same process also improves the functional and nutritional qualities of the protein isolates.

Burcon holds five U.S. patents over canola-protein processing technology and product uses for canola protein isolate, and has filed patent applications for 18 additional inventions, including: novel processing steps for the extraction and purification of proteins from oilseed meals including canola meal; use of the company's Puratein® and Supertein canola proteins, especially in functional foods and beverages; and "signature characteristics" of its canola proteins.

"It is a pleasure to see our research efforts come to fruition in the form of registered patents," says Johann F. Tergesen, Burcon's president and COO. "Burcon's intellectual property portfolio is our principal asset and represents the innovations and efforts of our research team's past eight years of work."

Burcon has partnered with ADM, Decatur, IL, to develop the world's first commercial canola proteins. Puratein, a high-molecular-weight protein, has similar characteristics to egg yolk. Supertein, a low- molecular-weight protein, is similar to egg white. Under the terms of the license and development agreement, ADM can commercially utilize Burcon's intellectual property portfolio for the extraction and purification of canola protein isolates for all uses, in all geographic regions. The company is currently seeking regulatory recognition for canola protein as GRAS from the FDA.