Would you eat sunflower meat? Scientists say it's good for you (and the planet)
The sunflower meat has an impressive nutritional profile, researchers say.
Teams from the Institute of Food Technology (ITAL), the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo, Brazil, and the Fraunhofer IVV Institute in Germany say they’ve developed a new meat substitute made from sunflower protein.
The “sunflower meat” is seasoned with tomato powder, spices, sunflower, olive and linseed oils. Lab tests revealed baked burger patties made with sunflower protein had high levels of protein, along with 49 per cent of the daily recommended intake of iron, 68 per cent of zinc, 95 per cent of magnesium, and 89 per cent of maganese.
A sustainable food source
The researchers say they chose to develop a sunflower-based meat substitute because sunflowers are widely available in a variety of regions and because the plant is not genetically modified, which may make it more appealing to some customers.
“Sunflower flour also offers a valuable source of plant-based protein, aligning with the growing global demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly food choices,” the authors say in a statement.
Researchers enriched the product with tomato powder, spices, and a mixture of fat sources made up of sunflower, olive, and linseed oils. (Caption and photo: Unicamp via ScienceDaily)
How does sunflower meat taste?
Maria Teresa Bertoldo Pacheco, a researcher at ITAL's Center for Food Science and Quality and lead author of the study, said the meat has a neutral flavour.
"It should also be noted that, after removing the husks and phenolic compounds, the flour has a very neutral taste and aroma, especially compared to the various vegetable proteins on the market.”
Hardy crops
Sunflowers are adaptable plants with deep root systems, making them more resilient to climate change than other food crops, which continue to struggle amidst warming temperatures.
The findings that sunflower meat could be a sustainable and nutritious food source align with the results of a 2022 study, which found that healthier foods tend to be better for the environment because they put less strain on water and land resources.