Soy-based products spotlighted at Soybean Innovation Competition
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An environmentally friendly alternative to plastic wrap, a high-protein cookie-like snack, and biodegradable diapers were the top winners in the 31st annual Student Soybean Innovation Competition this month at Purdue University.
The competition, a partnership between the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Purdue University, featured more than 100 students in 31 teams this year.
“The goal of the competition is to highlight the versatility of soybeans while addressing a need in agriculture or the general public,” ISA Board Chair Denise Scarborough, a farmer from LaCrosse, said in a news release. “ISA looks forward to working with Purdue students each year and seeing what unique products they create. The products made by these students can expand opportunities and markets for all Indiana soybean growers.”
SoyShield earned the $20,000 grand prize in the competition’s industry track. The 100% biodegradable, highly elastic, self-adhesive film can be used in commercial laboratories for sealing chemical containers and in home kitchens as an alternative to plastic wrap.
Purdue students Claire Eckhardt, Nicholas Emge and Leah Hartzell created the product.
“Participating in this competition has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Hartzell said in the release. “Co-creating SoyShield has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the business and marketing aspects of a project rather than solely focusing on technical skills. Being able to see our vision come to life in the lab and then working with my teammates to continually improve our prototype was such a gratifying process.”
Soy Straws earned the $5,000 top prize in the food innovation track, which was a new category for the competition this year. The snacks have 15 grams of protein and zero trans fats and resemble an egg roll cookie from Spain called a barquilleros.
Purdue students Anna Hicks, Rong Yang and Sara Thomason created the product.
“Getting crispy products can be a little bit tricky, especially a protein snack,” Hicks said. “We were really excited when we were brainstorming because those crispy round snacks aren’t currently on the market.”
The $500 People’s Choice award went to SoyCare, soybean-based diapers that are biodegradable. Students Soumil Gupta, Mary Busayo Oluyemi and Himanjali Tavva created the product.
“The Student Soybean Innovation Competition allows ISA to create relationships with bright and creative students and their advisors at Purdue,” Indiana Soybean Alliance board director and Muncie farmer Jenna Scott said in the release. “Products from this contest have the potential to help us increase the value of the soybeans we grow.”
Indiana ranks No. 4 nationwide in soybean production, according to Purdue.