Solabia-Algatech caters to post-COVID trends with Astaxanthin gummies
The Israeli microalgae cultivators have created the vegan, pectin-based food supplement with their astaxanthin ingredient drawn from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis.
The plant-based cherry flavour gummies each house 4 mg of the whole astaxanthin algae complex and 50 mg vitamin C, meaning one to two gummies per day will provide the recommended daily dose of the two antioxidants.
This comes a year after the company launched its ready-to-mix AstaPure powder concept targeting premix formulations for smoothies, making the move to gummies that much easier.
“Integrating our prized ingredient into gummy application was actually quite a smooth process,” reveals Dr. Omer Grundman, VP of R&D of Solabia-Algatech Nutrition. “Our AstaPure Arava powder was shown to perform well in a gel medium and the integrity and stability of its naturally occurring carotenoids remain intact.”
Astaxanthin, which is most commonly found in soft gels and capsules, is a growing market exhibiting a CAGER of 9.7%, and the market value of the ingredient in Europe is about $80M (iMarc market research).
What's more, the gummy market is on the rise. Innova Market Insights reported that during the first eight months of 2021, one-quarter of vitamin and mineral launches were gummies and Europe is the world's second-largest market for gummies supplements NPD after the USA, accounting for 16% of new launches in the second half of 2021.
“Astaxanthin is an extremely powerful antioxidant and is one of the most potent carotenoids in nature surpassing lutein, lycopene and β-carotene” explains Liat Shemesh, marketing manager of Solabia-Algatech Nutrition. “AstaPure Arava contains 3% of astaxanthin along with amino acids, vitamins, minerals and polysaccharides; - attributes highly extolled and sought after by consumers looking to consume whole foods and boost and maintain vitality and wellbeing. At the same time, they are also demanding more convenient and tastier means of incorporating such ingredients into their daily routines.
"The antioxidant properties of astaxanthin make it a perfect dietary supplement ingredient as it works in many organs and tissues in our body including the skin, brain, eyes and muscles. It is therefore consumed by consumers for a variety of health benefits, including immunity, skin health, eye health, brain health and more. Consumers can derive multifaceted benefits from just one single ingredient"
A recently published clinical study demonstrated that AstaPure Arava by Solabia- Algatech Nutrition can have a beneficial effect on the immune system and global well-being. A key function revealed in the research was significant reduction in the stress hormone cortisol, coupled with positive changes in the gut microbiome, interacting along the full continuum of the “Gut-Immune-Brain” Axis.
Source: EC Nutrition
Shawn M Talbott and Julie A Talbott.
“AstaPure Arava Natural Astaxanthin Whole Algae Product Supports Immune Function and Improves Subjective Well-Being”.
17.8 (2022): 19-28.
