Israel Active

Israeli startup Allerguard is developing a handheld device that scans and analyzes vapors from prepared food to determine the presence of allergens (e.g. peanuts). Electrochemical sensors detect non-safe molecular levels of allergens using three technologies. Allerguard has just raised $1.5 million of funds.

High sugar intake is a huge health issue. At FoodTechIL Israeli scientist Ilan Samish of startup Amai Proteins demonstrated his hyper-sweet synthesized thaumatin protein. He has now adapted the protein for sweetening food and drinks in the high temperatures required by the food industry.

Previous newsletters reported on Israel’s EggDetect and TeraEgg which developed technology to prevent the hatching of 8 billion unwanted male chicks. Now there’s another – eggXYt which uses ultrasound to detect a potential chick male immediately after the egg is laid.

Delegates from multinationals such as PepsiCo, Danone and Mondelez (Cadbury Oreo, Toblerone etc.) attended Israel’s annual FoodTechIL in Tel Aviv. 50 Israeli startups exhibited latest technologies in the food sector (including protein alternatives) to some 1500 participants.

AgriVest 2019 on 24th Sep in Tel Aviv hosted more than 750 participants, speakers, panelists, presenting companies, and sponsors. Israeli startups demonstrated how to grow more crops and more food with less land, less water, and less energy.

On the Armstrong Williams show, Jon Medved of OurCrowd mentions several Israeli innovations and gives reasons for Israel’s technical and economic success. They include turning curses into blessings, education, skills learned in the army, diverse immigrants and chutzpah.

I reported previously on projects by Israel Technion scientists to extract Hydrogen from water to generate a cheap, non-polluting fuel. Now, their E-TAC (electrochemical thermally activated chemical) technology has been spun off into a new Israeli startup H2Pro.

I reported previously on Rootella mycorrhizal fungi from Israel’s Groundwork BioAg. It improves soil nutrient uptake and boosts crop yield in 90% of all plant species. The Rootella products are now approved in Canada, US, Brazil, Ukraine & Belgium.

I reported previously on Israel’s Netline and its jamming device to stop Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Netline is now going to supply its C-Guard IED jamming system to the IDF.

Despite South African universities’ boycott of Israeli academic institutions, Israel’s world-class Weizmann Institute has offered University of Cape Town students the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in an invaluable three-month research program.