Busy days for Soft Gel and OptiPure
First there was the US launch of WasabiSol - Soft Gel's new
detoxification product - and then OptiPure re-launched its website
in an effort to make it more pertinent to the needs of the
supplement industry.
"Recently we have seen a greater demand for accurate data about ingredients, general research information, safety issues and clinical trials," said Kenn Israel, director of marketing for the companies, explaining the decision to relaunch OptiPure's website to NutraIngredientsUSA.
He said that an increasing number of buyers want to know about the clinical studies that prove the science behind the company's nutraceutical and botanical extract products.
Meanwhile, over at Soft Gel, the excitement is still high after the launch of WasabiSol at SupplySide West a few weeks ago.
WasabiSol, is a Wasabia japonica-based soft gel formula that is being marketed for detoxification and immune support.
Israel explained that Wasabia japonica - or Japanese horseradish - is a potent source of long chain isothiocyanates - natural compounds found in foods such as broccoli, cabbage and watercress - which support phase I and phase II detoxification in the liver and promote certain immune functions. He added that the active ingredients in these foods may also increase bone density.
"Wasabi is the paste we think we are covering our sushi with, but 99 percent of the time, US restaurants are not serving real wasabi, but a substitute powder made from horseradish and mustard," said Isreal.
He noted that the wasabi used in SoftGel's supplement is hydroponically grown. This method of growing - as opposed to soil-grown wasabi - is said to produce larger rhizomes, which in turn contain more active ingredients.
SoftGel believes that its way of offering the ingredient to the consumer is the best method of delivery as the compounds in wasabi are so fragile that they are at risk of being destroyed if they come into contact with any moisture. Keeping the wasabi powder contained inside a hermetically-sealed soft gelatin capsule keeps the active ingredients intact and free from moisture, according to the company.
"I am sure the ingredient will be worked into tablets, but softgel is the only ideal delivery system to stop it being affected by water," said Israel.
During the next quarter, all SoftGel's efforts will be going into marketing Wasabisol.
"We started educating potential clients about the product at SupplySide and will be distributing information throughout the US next month," said Israel, adding that the product is due to be launched in Europe at Health Ingredients Europe (HIE) next month.
