China's Sweet Protein Line Targets Sugar Costs

Bestzyme's automated production line for zero-calorie brazzein achieves 100 tonnes annual capacity in China, with plans to double output within two years.

Bestzyme installed a commercial-scale automated production line at a 5,000 sq m facility in Jinan, China, designed specifically for brazzein—a zero-calorie sweet protein derived from Oubli fruit. This system, claimed by Bestzyme as the world’s first commercial manufacturing platform for sweet proteins, produces 100 tonnes of brazzein annually (equivalent to 300,000 tonnes of sucrose). Brazzein is 500–2,000 times sweeter than sugar and has negligible blood sugar impact, making it a potential alternative for sugar reduction. The line received a US Food and Drug Administration no questions’ letter in 2025 and has partnered with a US sparkling water brand for zero-sugar products.

The system’s scale and regulatory approval address a critical need: 45% of US consumers prioritize sugar reduction in 2025, amid rising obesity (42% prevalence) and type 2 diabetes (11% of Americans). By enabling cheaper sweeteners at scale, this technology could lower costs for sugar alternatives while improving nutrition access for populations struggling with sugar-related health issues.

What to watch: Bestzyme’s ability to double production capacity within two years through strain iteration and process optimization. Current output (100 tonnes/year) remains small compared to global sugar demand, but the line’s FDA clearance and partnership with a US brand signal early commercial viability. The source notes US health statistics are contextual to the article, not directly attributed to Bestzyme, and the facility’s claim as the world’s first commercial system requires independent verification.

Source: Green Queen