Mycoprotein contains less than 3g of fat per 100g. That compares with 5.9g fat per 100g for lean grilled rump steak and 12.7g per 100g for grilled rump steak with the fat on.
Mycoprotein contains 0.7g of saturated fat per 100g compared with 1.9g in raw lean beef and 1g in raw chicken breast. Mycoprotein also provides both of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids - linoleic acid belonging to the n-6 series and α-Linolenic acid belonging to the n-3 series.
Mycoprotein contains no trans fats or cholesterol. There are very small amount of cholesterol and trans fats in some Quorn™ products, the cholesterol being present in tiny amounts in the egg white used in production and the trans fats as a trace component of other ingredients used.
Fatty Acid Profile of Mycoprotein (Fat Content = 3 g/100 g)
| Fatty Acid | Grams of fatty acid per 100 grams fat in Mycoprotein | Grams of fatty acid per 100 grams in Mycoprotein |
|---|---|---|
| C16:0 Palmitic | 9.3 | 0.3 |
| C18:0 Stearic | 2.0 | 0.1 |
| C18:1 Oleic | 9.6 | 0.3 |
| C18:2 Linoleic | 29.8 | 1.0 |
| C18:3 α-Linolenic | 13.5 | 0.4 |
In many Quorn™ products, small amounts of fat (mainly polyunsaturates) are added to improve sensory qualities, which is why the fat content in the range varies. Nevertheless, Quorn™ products are generally significantly lower in fat than equivalent meat products, with just 1.5g to 10g fat per 100g, as illustrated below.
Comparative Nutrient Content of Quorn products vs Meat Equivalent
| Food | Cals/100g | Total Fat (g/100g) | Sat Fat (g/100g) | % Energy from Total Fat | Cholesterol (mg/100g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quorn™ Mince (frozen)** | 94 | 2 | 0.5 | 19 | 0 |
| Beef Mince (Raw)* | 225 | 16.2 | 6.9 | 65 | 60 |
| Quorn™ Burger (frozen)** | 146 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 30 | 0 |
| Beefburger (raw)* | 291 | 24.7 | 10.7 | 76 | 76 |
| Quorn™ Chicken Style Nuggets** | 207 | 11 | 1.3 | 48 | 0.005 |
| Breaded Nuggets * | 265 | 13 | 3.3 | 44 | 54 |
*Source: McCance and Widdowson 'The Composition of Foods' Sixth Edition.
** Source: Marlow Foods