Hydrolysis is a form of chemical reaction in which a water molecule is used to break one or more chemical bonds that exist between a particular substance. The process of hydrolysis is used to obtain the so-called “protein hydrolysates”. Hydrolysis can occur with the aid of temperature, water, and chemical substances or with the help of specific enzymes.
Protein hydrolysis enzymes are used in various industrial applications, including producing functional peptides and savory flavors, protein solubilization, and meat tenderization. This blog post delves into the production process of protein hydrolysates and explores the current trends in the protein hydrolysis enzymes market.
How Are Protein Hydrolysates Obtained?
There are two main production processes for obtaining protein hydrolysates. They are:
Enzymatic hydrolysis: Enzymatic hydrolysis is a process of protein hydrolysis in which enzymes facilitate the breakdown of a compound following its reaction with water. The enzymatic hydrolysis process occurs inside controlled bioreactors with low temperatures and neutral pH levels. The normal temperature and neutral pH levels allow the enzymes to hydrolyze the protein substrate and help preserve the natural form of amino acids.
Chemical hydrolysis: As the name suggests, this protein hydrolysis process occurs with the aid of chemical substances such as sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. Unlike enzymatic hydrolysis, chemical hydrolysis occurs at higher temperatures and acidic or basic pH levels. This hydrolysis process aims to obtain products with higher total amino acid concentrations.
Market Growth and Trends
According to a recent report by Polaris Market Research, the protein hydrolysis enzymes market is anticipated to witness steady growth over the forecast period. The market was valued at USD 2.40 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9%, generating a revenue of USD 4.18 billion by 2032.
Protein hydrolysates are widely used to formulate infant formulas and control phosphorus pollution and nitrogen content. As such, there’s a steep rise in the demand for protein hydrolysates worldwide. In addition, the increasing requirement for non-allergic foods products in the dairy industry and clean labeling is further expected to create massive growth opportunities in the coming years.
Regional Analysis
North America: The protein hydrolysis enzymes market in North America accounted for the largest market share. The rising demand for several fortified food types and the adoption of novel technologies to make enzymes available for several applications are some of the primary factors anticipated to boost the market growth in the region. In addition, several leading firms have made significant investments in enzyme-related technologies to improve their production capacity and increase productivity. This is also expected to impact the region’s market growth favorably.
Asia Pacific: The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to grow substantially over the forecast period. The region’s high growth can be attributed to the availability of numerous unexplored prospects in developing countries and the continuously increasing rate of population. The growing customer demand for innovative and easy cleaning solutions and the rising implementation of experimental technology platforms create a favorable environment for the market to flourish in the region.
Recent Developments
In March 2022, Lallemand Animal Nutrition introduced its new product named YELA PROSECURE. It’s a specifically designed hydrolyzed yeast offering highly functional and digestible nutrients that support animal performance.
In December 2021, European chemical company BASF unveiled its enzyme product named Natupulse. A non-starch polysaccharide enzyme for animal feed, Natupulse improves nutrient digestibility by enhancing the diffusion of endogenous enzymes.
Conclusion
Protein hydrolysis enzymes have varied applications in various sectors, including the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. The rising trend of vegetarianism worldwide has created a huge demand for meat alternatives like soy protein. So, the Protein hydrolysis enzymes market key players are emphasizing on improving functionality and developing innovative protein hydrolysis enzyme solutions.