Our research team led by Dr Gail CHANG and Dr Amber CHIOU has developed AkkMore™, a fungus and plant-based fat replacer against obesity and metabolic diseases. AkkMore™ is not only effective in enhancing gut health, modulating the immune response, and relieving anxiety, but also helps to lower the calorific content of food and extends the shelf life of cream products. The research was awarded a silver medal at the 2022 International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.
Leveraging the thickening, emulsifying and stabilising properties of AkkMore™, our team has also developed Cream Mate, an AkkMore™-based cream substitute. Cream Mate can be used in desserts to reduce the amount of traditional cream required, resulting in lower fat and calorie content while maintaining taste and texture, but also significantly extends the shelf life of cream-based products.
This breakthrough has far-reaching implications. By reducing the consumption of dairy products and minizing food waste, we contribute to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the profitability of production processes.
At PolyU, we are dedicated to translating our research outcomes into practical applications. Supported by the PolyU Micro Fund and the GBA Startup Postdoc Programme, Dr Gail Chang has partnered with Dr Amber Chiou and Dr Jimmy Jin (Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Business) to establish Bo InnoHealth Biotechnology Company Limited in 2020. This start-up focuses on further research into the growth mechanism of fungus and has received generous support from the PolyU Tech Launchpad Fund and multiple angel funds.
In collaboration with GREEN of Hotel ICON to incorporate Cream Mate into reduced-fat soft serve and desserts, we are proud to present the "ForestFit Afternoon Tea With Japanese Fruit And AkkMore™", a limited-time menu from 3 June until 1 September 2024. Laboratory tests have shown that the total fat content of soft serve with AkkMore™ Cream Mate was less than 3% and was reduced by more than 80% when comparing with regular soft serve, and the total energy was also reduced by more than half.
For more information, please visit:
PolyU media release: https://polyu.hk/ewgDp
Hotel ICON's website: https://www.hotel-icon.com/offers/akkmore-japanesefruits-afternoon-tea
