Team:XJTU-China/Human Practices

Public Engagement

Abstract


Our product, D-psicose, as a sweetener, has the advantages of high sweetness and low energy. To make our product D-psicose closer to the market demand, we organized company visits.

During the visit, we focused on understanding the current sweetener market and listened to professional insights and recommendations on our IGEM project. Besides, we learned from the company how to bring laboratory products to market. Through the visit, we have a profound understanding of the important value and development prospects of D-psicose.

Huanqiu Yuanyi, Yang ling

General Manager Zhao

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To understand more about the application of sweeteners in the market, we visited Huanqiu Yuanyi Company, a company that mainly deals with kiwi processes and sales.

We interviewed manager Zhao, and then visited the workshop and laboratory.

Keypoints

  • The potential market of D-psicose is vast. Potential groups:
    • people with diabetic go out, or travel
    • People in the gym pay more attention to the healthy diet of people.
    • people in First-tier cities prefer to purchase D-psicose than others.
  • Sweeteners are a kind of food additives, which are misunderstood by Chinese public, which is a potential obstacle for the promotion of D-psicose. The reasons:
    • Different food standards between Europe, America and China;
    • The state deliberately pursues perfection;
    • The state deliberately pursues perfection;

    During this visit, we learned about current sweetener applications and people's perceptions of it. Besides, we listened to market professionals' thoughts on our IGEM projects.

Xinsheng Jixang, Weinan, Shaanxi Province China

General Manager Tan

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Our products, D-psicose, as sweeteners, have advantage of high sweetness and low calorie.

To better understand the current sweetener market, we visited Xinsheng Jixiang Biological Company, interviewed Director Tan to exchange enzymes and D-psicose and visited the factory. The company's main produce enzyme-based fermented food and manufacture products.

Keypoints:

  • In the hearts of the public, the recognition of sugar is higher than recognition of sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners. People know sucrose is extracted from sugar cane, so it's safe for them.
  • About quality: It is important to ensure that the public recognizes the taste of the food made by D- psicose.
  • About the price: The price of D-psicose in China, the market can accept, is about 20,000 yuan/ton. If you use D-psicose as a bottled beverage, the price of one bottle is about 10 yuan.

This activity allows us to better understand the needs of the market, which will better improve our products.