“Free from” nutraceuticals meet evolving consumer demand

Its range called Novel Application​ has been developed to “support its customers in their clean label approach” and meet the evolving consumer demand for products with fewer additives. 

To create the Novel Application range, Divi’s Nutraceuticals have applied their technical capabilities to produce silicon dioxide-free spray-dried products with the same performance and characteristics as conventional spray-dried products, resulting in nanoparticle-free ingredients. 

The products contain no synthetic antioxidants, no palm oil, and no added sugar while maintaining stability and texture. The carotenoids and vitamins in the range can be used either in supplements or to fortify or colour a variety of liquids and dry foods.

Heinz Niggli, senior vice-president of Divi’s Nutraceuticals, states: “In recent years, consumers have become increasingly concerned about the potential adverse health effects of food additives and favour products that contain as little as possible.

“To meet this demand, many food and nutraceutical manufacturers have engaged in a process of reduction or elimination of additives in their products.”

The supplier will also present AstaBead at the show, a collaboration product with Algalif.​ AstaBead is a highly concentrated beadlet of natural astaxanthin, as Algalif's production process in Iceland uses renewable energy and provides astaxanthin oleoresin​ from microalgae.

Divi’s marketing material notes it as “the highest concentration available in the market”, making it possible to create smaller tablets and hard-shell capsules. Niggli comments: “Thanks to its high concentration, tablets, and capsules are smaller and more attractive to consumers.”

Astaxanthin is known to be a well-utilised antioxidant​, with health benefits supported by a body of scientific studies. Niggli states: “As science continues to reveal more new potential health benefits of astaxanthin, consumer awareness is rapidly increasing and the market for natural astaxanthin is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6%​ over the next few years.” 

The product is also suitable for nutritional bars and powdered beverages, including a fast-dispersing form of astaxanthin that benefits from Divi's CaroQuik, a formulation  of carotenoid beadlets designed to enhance rapid, cold water dispersion of fortified powder beverages.

Finally, the firm will present its high potency spray-dried powder Vitamin D3 500 SD​ at the event. The spray-dried powder provides 500,000 IU per gram. The manufacturing technology used ensures constant particle size distribution and an optimised concentration, according to Divi’s, resulting in content uniformity in applications such as premixes. A silicon dioxide-free version is also newly available.