2008 round-up: Ingredient innovation

Omega-3:​ One of the more interesting launches was a joint venture between Quebec-based Neptune Technologies & Bioresources and UK-based Croda Health Care to develop a high-dose krill/fish oil suite of ingredients targeting the supplements markets in the US and Europe.

The offering is presented in a range called Essentially that comprised five variants, each branded and targeting a specific health benefit.

These benefits included joint, mood and skin benefits with DHA/EPA levels of 800-1600mg of depending on the formulation.

The companies spent 18 months developing the range.

Phosphatidylserine: ​Israeli firm ​Lipogen launched a soy lecithin-derived, brain health ingredient incorporating phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylserine (PS) called PS-Plus (PAS) on both sides of the Atlantic – in the US and Finland.

PS, which is backed by clinical brain health data, is the basis of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health claim that states: "Phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly."​

To read the story click here​.

Lingonberry:​ Danish supplier Chr Hansen in October launched an extract from a red Nordic berry it says has the nutritional payload to be the “new cranberry or bilberry”.​

Like most superfruits, the lingonberry has elevated levels of phytonutrients such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. It is being marketed on its heart health, immunity and anti-ageing benefits as well as the cranberry-dominated urinary tract infection (UTI) area.

The food supplements industry will be the first target on both sides of the Atlantic, with functional foods and beverages potential to be explored at some later date along with China, the rest of Asia and latin America.

The company’s testing revealed lingonberry extract contained five times the level of type-A procyanidins as cranberry as well as being high in resveratrol and other polyphenols.

To read the story click here​.

Indian gooseberry: ​New Jersey-based Natreon, the supplier of ​another superfruit extract, this time in the shape of Indian gooseberry, also noted its boosted antioxidant levels.

Natreon said its patented Capros extract has an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value of 1770 - twice that of acai and about 17 times that of pomegranate.

To read the story click here​.

Omega-3:​ DSM Nutritional Products launched an omega-3 fish oil powder at the vegetarian-dominated maternal and infant nutrition market.

DSM’s new ingredient called, Ropufa ‘10’ n-3 INF Powder S/SD, combines DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) in an odourless and tasteless formulation, the company said, adding “it was ideally suited to meet the highly demanding standards set by the infant nutrition industry.”​

Sabrina Borghi, DSM Nutritional Products’ manager of nutritional lipids, said the fact the ingredient was fish-sourced was irrelevant if quality could be guaranteed.

“The problem is not linked to fish-sourced products but to the safety and quality of ingredients entering the baby food market,” ​she said.​ ​“We all know that breast feeding is the best source of nutrition for infant but when it’s not available we have to make sure that babies get what they need through an optimal infant formula.”​

The EPA/DHA ratio closely mimicked that of breast milk, she said.

To read the story click here​.

Chia:​ Georgia-based AHD International debuted chia seeds, which the company is marketing as a vegetarian wholefood that improves overall heart health.

Chia is the edible seed of the desert plant Salvia hispanica​, a member of the mint family, which grows in Latin American countries including Mexico, Argentina and Peru.

The seeds are said to be a significant source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as easy-to-digest protein. They are also rich in fibre (25g give around 7g fiber), amino acids, and a range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

To read the story click here​.

Omega-3:​ Global omega-3 supply leader, Ocean Nutrition Canada, took the rather unusual step of marketing its ingredients direct to consumers, as it continued to boost awareness and sales of co-branded products for its fish-sourced ingredients, called Meg-3.

“We’re always looking for ways to increase consumer awareness of Omega-3 EPA/DHA, and looking for ways to support our customers. We’re continually working with them to provide marketing support,”​ said Lori Covert, ONC’s VP of marketing and communications.

To read the story click here​.

Other developments included Japanese Co-enzymeQ10 leader, Kaneka debuting a high dose form in Europe; French supplier Naturex offering lettuce-derived polyphenols; NutraCea taking its stabilised rice bran into eastern Europe; Israeli player LycoRed developing a tomato-based extract to combat sunburn; Decas Cranberry Products debuting a high-fibre superfruit called uchuva and PL Thomas and Laila Nutraceuticals launching a cognitive herb called Bacopa monniera,​ in the US.

There were many more and unfortunately we couldn’t cover them all here. But we'll be covering it all as it happens​ in 2009. Stay tuned.