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Israeli Startup PoLoPo Grows Egg Proteins in Potato Fields, Revolutionizing Sustainable Food Production
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Feb 21 2025
2PoLoPo: Growing Egg Proteins in Potato Fields for a Sustainable Future
PoLoPo, an Israeli biotech startup founded in 2022 by Maya Sapir-Mir and Raya Liberman-Aloni, is transforming a common agricultural crop—potatoes—into low-cost bioreactors capable of producing ovalbumin, the main protein in egg whites. This groundbreaking approach has the potential to disrupt the food industry by providing a sustainable, scalable, and animal-free source of egg protein.
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Revolutionizing Protein Production
Ovalbumin, highly valued by food manufacturers for its ability to enhance nutritional value and prolong shelf life, traditionally comes from chicken eggs. However, conventional production relies heavily on animal farming, raising sustainability concerns.
PoLoPo’s solution? Genetically engineered potatoes that produce ovalbumin identical in composition to that found in eggs, without the need for expensive bioreactors. By inserting the ovalbumin DNA sequence into the potato plant’s leaves, the plant produces the protein, which is then transported to the tubers via the phloem—the plant’s natural nutrient delivery system.
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Why Potatoes? The Perfect Bioreactor
The genetically modified PoLoPo potatoes are visually indistinguishable from regular potatoes. However, they come with a remarkable advantage:
They store protein directly in the tubers, functioning like mini-bioreactors.
The plants are fast-growing, cost-effective, and easily scalable.
Since the potatoes are genetically identical to the original batch, subsequent crops can be grown without additional genetic modification.
"That’s the beauty of our method. For scale-up, we just need another potato field," says Raya Liberman-Aloni, PoLoPo’s Chief Technology Officer.
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Scaling Up with Simplicity
Unlike traditional protein production systems that rely on costly infrastructure, PoLoPo’s technology offers unmatched scalability. The company has already begun field trials in Ness Ziona, Israel, growing these protein-rich potatoes in real agricultural conditions.
This approach means that expanding production is as simple as planting more potatoes, making it an attractive solution for both large-scale food manufacturers and regions seeking affordable nutritional solutions.
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From Super-Potatoes to Food Manufacturing Ingredients
Originally, PoLoPo aimed to develop a "super-potato" to combat malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries. However, challenges faced by other genetically modified crops—like Golden Rice—prompted PoLoPo to pivot. The company now focuses on producing protein ingredients for the global food industry, where regulatory pathways are clearer.
Importantly, although the potatoes themselves are genetically modified, the extracted ovalbumin protein is considered GMO-free, simplifying the regulatory approval process.
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Expanding Capabilities: Patatin-Rich Potatoes
Beyond ovalbumin, PoLoPo is also working on patatin-rich potatoes. Patatin, a naturally occurring protein in potatoes, plays a crucial role in nutrition and food processing. By tweaking the potato genome, PoLoPo has enhanced the plant’s ability to:
Produce more patatin
Accumulate higher protein levels in the tubers
Shift metabolism towards protein production
The company is currently seeking approval from the US Department of Agriculture for these patatin-rich potatoes.
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Backing and Market Potential
PoLoPo’s innovative technology has garnered the attention of investors, receiving support from FoodLabs, a German venture capital firm. With other genetically modified potatoes already approved in the USA—such as J.R. Simplot's Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, and Atlantic varieties designed to resist bruising and blight—PoLoPo is optimistic about entering the US market.
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Implications for the Future of Food
PoLoPo’s technology offers a sustainable alternative to conventional egg protein production, with significant implications:
Reduces dependence on animal agriculture, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Simplifies production scalability by leveraging existing agricultural infrastructure.
Provides a stable supply chain for egg protein, immune to disruptions like avian flu outbreaks.
Potential for use in vegan and allergen-free food products, expanding dietary options for consumers.
