Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
April 10, 2000
Bagels and horse shampoo take top honours at Project Soy
Transforming soybeans into heart-healthy bagels and an equine shampoo earned University of Guelph students top prizes at this year's Project SOY (Soybean Opportunities for Youth), an annual contest for students to develop new uses and markets for soybeans.
At an awards ceremony at the Arboretum Tuesday, April 4, Whole Hearted Bagels, loaded with heart-healthy soy protein, won first place in the undergraduate/graduate category. These healthful bagels, which are similar in taste, appearance and texture to conventional, commercially available bagels, were developed by nutritional science graduate students Christina Clark, Angela Lin and Lina Paulionis.
Second prize in this category went to Wilda Lau and Vincent Sy for "Soy Images" — a line of lipstick and lip balms made from 100 per cent soybean oil. Catherine Schluter, Rebecca Paine and Sarah MacDonald developed "Soy-Bites," mini soynut butter cookies that resemble peanut-butter cookies. They tied for third place with Kee Keen Foong, Barbara Jean and Foong Leng Kok, who created tofu-based "Crac-O-Soy" crackers, a nutritious, protein-filled snack that they developed in a variety of flavours, from dill pickle to sour cream and onion.
Erinn White and Kurt Krausewitz received an honourable mention for "Soy Dough Art Supplies," including finger paints and modelling dough.
In the diploma category, first place went to the creators of "Equi-Soy," an equine shampoo made with soy oil and enhanced with tea tree or lavender oils. Developed by Sabrina Desjardins and Jessica Peltzer of Kemptville College, "Equi-Soy" is a natural shampoo that helps strengthen and condition, providing a silky, smooth coat for horses. Ridgetown College's Brad Cooper was awarded second place for his soy biodiesel business plan.
"The contest has blossomed appreciably since 1997 when it was first introduced to University of Guelph students and there were nine student projects," said University of Guelph President Mordechai Rozanski. "Since that time, the number of projects has doubled and many more students have risen to Project SOY's challenge: to find new and innovative uses for soybeans and, in doing so, to contribute to the expansion and progress of the Ontario soybean industry."
This year, additional support from the soybean industry will make the path to commercialization smoother for Project SOY participants. For the first time, students have been given the chance to work with U of G's patenting, licensing and commercialization experts in the Business Development Office to ensure products with market potential are protected and that the students receive assistance in getting their products on store shelves.
"There is immense value in student innovation and creativity," says Peter Hannam, president of First Line Seeds, the Guelph-based company that launched the contest in 1996, with the University's Office of Research. "It's really amazing to see how much thought and effort students are willing to put into an extra-curricular activity like this one."
Students participating in Project SOY have the opportunity to enhance their creative and practical skills, make industry connections and win cash prizes of $2,500, $1,000 and $500 for first, second and third place.
Project SOY is sponsored by First Line Seeds and the University of Guelph, with additional support from the Ontario Soybean Growers' Marketing Board and Maple Leaf Foods International.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 3338.
