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Acid and heat stable sweet proteins for beverage application
Food & nutrition
What questions do you have about this RFP?
Get them answered by the team at PepsiCo.
Background

The area of sugar reduction continues to be of high interest to PepsiCo, leading to a search for novel sweeteners and technologies to reformulate, grow, and protect core brands by achieving consumer acceptance in a cost-effective manner.

What we're looking for

We are seeking high intensity sweet proteins (e.g., Brazzein, Monellin, Thaumatin) that are stable to low pH environment and to thermal treatments in ready-to-drink, shelf stable beverage applications.

Solutions of interest include:
  • Proof of concept study in surface modification of commercially available sweet proteins
  • Breakthrough ingredients that have significant advancement beyond PepsiCo’s knowledge
  • Any sweet protein with no allergen issues
Our must-have requirements are:
  • Safe for consumption, with available safety data for toxicology effects
  • Water soluble
  • Acceptable taste profile (no alteration in color, taste and/or mouthfeel)
  • Stable in a low pH (2.7-3.2) beverage at ambient temperatures for 6-9 months (stable to light, heat, no sedimentation, or phase separation, no or minimal impact on flavor of finished beverage during shelf life)
  • Stable after thermal processes (Hot Fill: 200-205F for 33 seconds; Tunnel: 160-165F for 10 minutes; Aseptic: 280F for 4 seconds). At a minimum, compatible with a cold fill preserved process.
  • Minimum shelf-life of 6 months
  • Path to regulatory approval in the US, Canada, and/or Europe
Our nice-to-have's are:
  • Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) or Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA)
  • Ingredient shelf-life is 12 months or more
  • Ingredient name is consumer friendly and can be classified on product labels as a “natural” source
What's out of scope:
  • Technologies/solutions that PepsiCo is familiar with and/or has previously studied for e.g; Blend of different sweeteners and modulators.
What we can offer you
Eligible partnership models:
Sponsored research
Benefits:
Sponsored Research
Project co-work funding is dependent on proof of concept. Preference will be given to an integrated team that has all the capabilities needed to develop the model
Expertise
SME consult on ingredient application in PepsiCo beverage model
Facilities and Services
Test under Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Who we are

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

 Learn more
Reviewers
VS
Valerie Sershon
Sr. Principal Scientists
SG
Seyhun Gemili
Sr. Principal Scientist
ST
Sameer Talsania
R&D Director, External Innovation
TG
Tricia Goebel
Data Analyst
NP
Nisha Patel
Analyst
Q&A with PepsiCo

The Q&A is now closed.

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Most upvoted
Q.
I would like to submit a proposal to engineer and optimize for thermal stability at acidic pH. My background is in directed evolution of proteins. I am curious to know if this is within the solution of interest?
4
A.
Hello, Please feel free to submit your proposal for considerations. Thank you
SG
Seyhun Gemili, Sr. Principal Scientist, PepsiCo
August 21, 2023
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Are there terms and conditions for this opportunity?
MN
Melissa Nugent, Research Development, Queensland University of Technology
August 10, 2023
3
A.
Hello Melissa, Terms and conditions could be discussed in further steps after proposal submission. Regards
SG
Seyhun Gemili, Sr. Principal Scientist, PepsiCo
August 21, 2023
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Would you please confirm the project duration, start date, and the max award amount?
OP
Ora Preaward, Research Development, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
August 15, 2023
1
A.
Hello, These are flexible and depends on the proposals.
SG
Seyhun Gemili, Sr. Principal Scientist, PepsiCo
August 21, 2023
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Good afternoon My name is Julio Boza, Chief R&D Officer for HealthTech Bioactives. We are interested to know more about the Pepsico request "Acid and heat stable sweet proteins for beverage application" Julio Boza
1
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