Welcome to BENEO’s FAQ hub!
At BENEO, we’re committed to providing clear, concise answers to your most common questions. Whether you’re curious about our nutritional ingredients, product applications, or sustainability initiatives, you’ll find everything you need right here.
Explore our FAQs to discover how BENEO supports healthier choices through science-backed innovation. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, our team is ready to assist!
Human nutrition
Faba beans
What are fabe beans used for?
Faba beans, also known as broad beans, are used for a variety of purposes including human consumption, animal feed, and as a green manure crop. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or processed into products such as flour, protein isolates, and other food ingredients. In light of rising demand for plant-based proteins, faba beans gain in relevance for the food industry.
How much protein contain faba beans?
Faba beans are a rich source of protein, and depending on the variety and growing conditions, they contain approximately 25-30 grams of protein per 100 grams of dried beans. Being further processed using fractionation, e.g. to achieve protein concentrates, the amount of protein is around 60%.
Are faba beans legumes?
Yes, faba beans are legumes. They belong to the family Fabaceae, which includes other legumes like lentils, chickpeas, peas and soy. Like many legumes, the faba bean also forms a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and thus has the ability to bind nitrogen from the air. This means that nitrogen fertilization is not necessary.
Are faba beans soy?
Faba beans are soy-free. They belong, however, to the same legume family as soy, the Fabaceae.
Are faba beans the same as fava beans?
Faba beans are sometimes also named fava beans. Aside from this, they have several alternative names depending on the region and context. Some of the most common names include Broad Beans, Horse Beans, Field Beans and Tick Beans.
Are faba beans good for you/me?
Yes, faba beans provide a good source of plant-based protein with many essential amino acids. Additionally, they are high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals and hence are nutritious and good for you.
What are the challenges and opportunities for faba beans?
Challenges:
- Susceptibility to diseases and pests.
- Sensitivity to environmental conditions.
- Limited market awareness and demand in some regions.
- They contain some antinutrients. People suffering
from favism show a reaction to the consumption of some substances naturally occurring in faba bean and should therefore abstain from the consumption of faba bean. Hence BENEO recommends a clear labelling on product.
Opportunities:
- Increasing demand for plant-based proteins.
- Potential for crop rotation and soil health improvement: more diverse crop rotation, deep rooting of the soil
- Reduction of nitrogen fertilization due to the fact that faba bean fixes nitrogen from the air and releases a surplus into the soil. Like many legumes, the faba bean also forms a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and thus has the ability to bind nitrogen from the air. This means that nitrogen fertilization is not necessary.
- Versatile uses in food products and animal feed.
- Faba bean cultivation has a/can have a positive effect on biodiversity
- Phytosanitary advantages:
- Important component in the control of grasses and the prevention of resistance
- Ensures a change of active ingredient in the crop rotation
How to use faba bean protein?
Food and drink manufacturers can use faba bean protein concentrate or flours in various food products due to some of its excellent functionalities like solubility, emulsification and foamability. Some example applications are protein bars, shakes, meat alternatives, baked goods, and dairy alternatives. It is also used in protein supplements and as an ingredient in processed foods to boost nutritional content.
How can faba be utilized in agriculture?
Faba beans can be utilized in agriculture as:
- A rotational crop to improve soil fertility due to their nitrogen-fixing ability.
- A rotational crop to improve phytosanitary conditions due interruption of grain-specific infection chains and pushing back problem weeds like blackgrass.
- A cover crop to prevent soil erosion and improve soil health.
- A forage crop for livestock feed.
- A soil improving crop (deep rooting, breakdown of compactions, nutrient absorption from the subsoil, loosening of the crumb, positive humus effect, improving the water holding capacity of the soil, increase in earthworm population)
- Increasing agrobiodiversity by delivering additional pollen and nectar for wild and honey bees and other nectar-collecting, pollinating insects such as bumblebees or hoverflies through legume flowers
- Faba beans can secrete nectar through their leaves before flowering (extrafloral nectaries) and are therefore a particularly early source of food in spring
What is the environmental impact of faba beans?
Faba beans have a positive environmental impact due to their nitrogen-fixing ability, which improves soil fertility and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. They also help in crop rotation and hence can support biodiversity and reduce soil erosion.
Would faba beans fit in your crop rotation?
Yes, faba beans can fit well in crop rotation plans. They improve soil health and fertility, break pest and disease cycles, and can enhance yields of subsequent crops.
Feeding faba beans to animals in practice
Feeding faba beans to animals is practical and beneficial. They provide a high-protein feed source for livestock such as poultry, pigs, and ruminants. However, antinutrients like tannins and vicine/convicine must be managed through proper processing.
What are the biodiversity benefits from faba bean cultivation?
Faba bean cultivation supports biodiversity by providing habitats for various insects and microorganisms. Their nectar containing flowers also provide food for various insects. Their use in crop rotations diversifies planting systems, reducing the reliance on monocultures and promoting ecological balance.
Pharma
galenIQ™
What is galenIQ™ and what makes it unique?
galenIQ™ is the pharmaceutical grade of Isomalt, derived from sugar beets. It is designed for pharmaceutical applications and stands out due to its exceptional taste properties, low hygroscopicity, and excellent compressibility. This makes it ideal for a wide range of dosage forms, including tablets, chewable, lozenges, powders, and sachets.
What are the main applications of galenIQ™ in pharmaceuticals?
galenIQ™ is primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry for direct compression, granulation, and dry blending. Its applications include tablets, chewable tablets, lozenges, effervescent tablets, and powder blends. Its pleasant taste and mouthfeel also make it suitable for oral solid dosage forms and formulations where taste is a critical factor.
How does galenIQ™ enhance the taste of pharmaceutical products?
galenIQ™ has a sweet taste that can help to mask the bitterness of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), making medications more palatable. Its smooth texture and rapid dissolution in the oral cavity further contribute to a pleasant mouthfeel, enhancing the overall patient experience.
Is galenIQ™ suitable for patients with diabetes?
Yes, galenIQ™ has a very low glycemic index (GI = 2) and does not cause significant spikes in blood glucose levels. However, as with any excipient, the suitability for diabetic patients should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with healthcare professionals.
What are the benefits of using galenIQ™ in tablet formulations?
galenIQ™ offers several benefits in tablet formulations, including excellent flow properties, high compressibility, and low hygroscopicity, which enhance tablet hardness and stability. It also provides uniform distribution of APIs, ensuring consistent dosage delivery. Additionally, its compatibility with most APIs contributes to the stability of formulations over time.
How is galenIQ™ produced, and is it sustainable?
galenIQ™ is produced from isomalt, which is derived from sustainably sourced beet sugar. The production process is environmentally friendly, ensuring minimal waste and low energy consumption. This aligns with BENEO’s commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Where can I find technical support about incorporating galenIQ™ into my formulations?
You can contact our technical support team through the BENEO website of galenIQ@beneo.com for personalized assistance. We offer detailed product information, formulation guidance, and support to help you integrate galenIQ™ into your products effectively. Additionally, our website hosts a range of technical resources and documentation to assist in your development process.
Does galenIQ™ have both filler and binder functionality?
galenIQ™ acts as a bulking agent on the one hand, providing the necessary volume to tablets and other dosage forms. On the other hand, it also functions as a binder, helping to hold the ingredients of a tablet together. Its high compactability ensures that tablets are compressed with the right hardness and stability. These dual functionalities make galenIQ™ a versatile and valuable excipient in the pharmaceutical industry.
Does galenIQ™ meet industry quality and regulatory standards for pharmaceutical excipients?
galenIQ™ is produced under GMP conditions, in alignment with IPEC-PQG requirements for pharmaceutical excipients and complies with the latest monographs for Isomalt in Ph. Eur., BP, USP-NF, and JP. This ensures a quality product that meets the highest industry standards.