PROJECT RESULTS

Development of a Soyfood Based Beverage Mixed With a Grown-in-Manitoba Functional Food Ingredient

Applicant: 

Maureen Hemphill

Spring Bright Super Soybean Products Inc.

Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3L 2V1  Canada

Table of Contents:

• Objectives
• Procedure and Project Activities
• Results and Discussion

ARDI Project:

#00-391

Project Status:

Completed November, 2004

Report prepared by Maureen Hemphill.

Objectives:

Objectives of this project were as follows:

1. To research isoflavone levels of 41 Manitoba soybean varieties.
2. To carry out an agronomic literature review on the soybean.
3. To create a functional food soy beverage targeted to osteoporosis.

Procedure and Project Activities:

Variety trials were conducted to test the isoflavone levels of 41 varieties of Manitoba soybeans.  The variety trials clearly demonstrated that there are significant differences in isoflavone levels among soybean varieties.  This research helped the applicant select the "best" variety for their soy beverage.  The information from the trials is already being used by Manitoba soybean farmers and the soybean industry to promote and market Manitoba soybeans.

The last phase of the project involved the formulation and production of a new soy beverage designed to help build and strengthen bones.  The applicant completed the formulation and the focus testing of their unique functional food soy beverage.

This formulation and process has created a very unique product.  It is thick, creamy, smooth and delicious.  Significant features are:  no separation, long shelf life for a refrigerated milk (3 weeks), no residue (a common characteristic of poor quality soy milk) and its texture and quality improves as it ages.   

The product was focus tested twice (50 litres) providing approximately 200 samples each time.

Testing was done at major health food and organic stores (i.e. Organza, Vita Health, House of Nutrition, and Organic Planet).  Both staff and customers tested the product.  The results were excellent – 95% of those who tested the product loved it.  Comments included:  delicious, fabulous, yummy, tastes like liquid ice cream, where can I buy it?, I'd definitely buy this product.  All managers/owners of stores that were involved in the focus testing said they would carry the product.

Results and Discussion:

The applicant has approved the final formulation and is confident they have created a premium quality product.

Acknowledgement:

This project was made possible through funding from the Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada under the Canada-Manitoba Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI).

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