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Alyssa Blachez: DryGro

Producing Water Lentils as a resource efficient, sustainable protein alternative

28 Oct 2022

Alyssa Blachez is the Head of Plant Science for DryGro, a London agritech company focused on the production of next-generation, clean label plant-based protein. Alyssa currently oversees plant science operations at DryGro's London and Kenyan facilities, as well as in partnership with four universities across Europe.

DryGro conducts research and development into ‘water lentils’, also known as Duckweed or Lemna, and is focused on the genetics, production systems, and processing technology for this novel crop.

Water lentils have an extractible protein called RuBisCO that can be used as a sustainable egg white alternative in vegan and vegetarian products - including plant-based meats, cakes, breads and frostings. Using DryGro's RuBisCO protein, these products have the potential to be tastier, with better texture, at more affordable prices. DryGro is preparing to scale up a commercial RuBisCO production system over 2023 and 2024.

DryGro is an EIT Food RisingFoodStar and has been previously supported by the European Space Agency.