Introducing Acrylerase®: an innovative enzymatic solution to reduce acrylamide levels in soluble coffee products
c-LEcta and ANKA have developed Acrylerase® - a new food enzyme to reduce acrylamide in instant coffee and ready to drink coffee beverages. This patented technology is the first to target acrylamide directly, and offers significant benefits over existing mitigation measures.
As acrylamide is considered carcinogenic, limitation and mitigation of this process contaminant in food is a priority in regulatory acts worldwide. Typically, acrylamide is formed when starchy food materials are exposed to high heat, such as during roasting and extraction to produce soluble coffee, coffee concentrates as well as cereal- or chicory-based coffee surrogates.
Highly efficient acrylamide reduction by direct decomposition
Acrylerase® is the first commercially available enzyme for direct decomposition of acrylamide, enabling effective on-site control of acrylamide levels during the processing of soluble coffee and coffee extracts. It is a flexible and simple drop-in solution that can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes. Thus, Acrylerase® can help with regulatory compliance without the need for other costly mitigation measures. All this makes Acrylerase® a game-changing application in the manufacturing of soluble coffee and coffee extracts.
Dr Marc Struhalla, CEO of c-LEcta, expressed excitement in introducing Acrylerase® to the market: “This innovative enzyme product offers a practical solution for soluble coffee manufacturers. Acrylerase® can efficiently reduce acrylamide levels without compromising taste or disrupting production processes.”
“We are excited to launch Acrylerase® together with c-LEcta.”, adds Jan Schwital, Managing Director of ANKA, a coffee technology company. “We believe simplicity and efficiency are key to any successful industrial application. Acrylerase® provides just that for controlling acrylamide in instant coffee and coffee extracts.”.
Regulatory compliance and brand protection
Consumers are becoming more and more aware of the potential risk of acrylamide in food. In some countries such as South Korea and in the EU, directives and regulations are already in force to mitigate acrylamide and limit consumer exposure, i.e., by introducing benchmark levels and monitoring acrylamide levels in various product categories, including soluble coffee. In addition, the introduction of fixed maximum limits is currently under discussion by the European Commission.
“Acrylerase® not only offers soluble coffee manufacturers a much simpler and more flexible way to comply with acrylamide regulations than was previously possible, but also enables usage of coffee volumes that may otherwise be rejected due to high acrylamide formation.”, remarks Oliver Süße-Herrmann, Managing Director of ANKA.
About c-LEcta
c-LEcta is a global biotechnology company specializing in the development, production and distribution of enzyme products. The company uses world-class enzyme engineering and production technologies to provide its partners in the food and pharmaceutical industries with superior biotechnological solutions for innovative industrial applications. Product development is based on the proprietary enzyme technology platform ENESYZ® and is carried out both in-house and in close cooperation with industry partners worldwide. c-LEcta supplies its products to more than 400 customers in over 40 countries. c-LEcta currently employs more than 120 people at its headquarters in Leipzig.
c-LEcta is part of the Kerry Group. Kerry is a world leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors.
About ANKA
ANKA was founded in 2019 as an innovation platform focused on the coffee sector. The company creates opportunities and solutions through research-based innovation by harnessing a vast experience in coffee processing, engineering and access to state-of-the-art coffee analytics. By providing technical innovation to a wide-ranging set of clients across the coffee industry ANKA helps them establish new applications to create added value for their businesses.
ANKA is part of the CR3 Coffee Group, a leading provider of B2B coffee services.
www.anka-technologie.com