General Mills Hopes To Patent Promising Protein-Rich Oat Variety

General Mills has applied for U.S. patent for oat variety it has developed with the same high protein levels as a wild variety (Avena magna) but cultivable using standard farming practices. Avena magna plants are not suitable for mechanical harvesting because processing clogs threshing and de-hulling machines. Company’s high-protein variety has stable fatty acid profile, rendering it less vulnerable to oxidation. Could be used in “high protein granola bars, hot cereals, cold cereals, snack bars, cookies, gluten-free products, snacks, muffins, pancake mix and the like,” company said in application. [Image Credit: © USDA ]