Green Bioactives partners Azelis for memory ingredient distribution
First launched in the UK in Q4 this year, GBL-Memory1 is a patented ingredient complex combining 200mg of Fructooligosaccharides with 400mg of L-theanine, developed to offer improvement in cognitive function, specifically memory.
Chris Meaney, Chief Business Officer at Green Bioactives, explains to NutraIngredients that bringing this ingredient to Spain and Portugal will complete their target distribution across the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Austria, and some smaller Eastern European markets.
"We’re delighted to be working with Azelis for the distribution of GBL-Memory1TM," he said. "Their commitment to distributing high-quality products that will deliver benefits to the market makes them an ideal partner. I’m very excited about what we can achieve together."
GBL-Memory1 is Green Bioactives first foray into nutraceuticals, after the company recognised a trend for solutions to support cognitive function, with many consumers looking to maintain a healthy memory.
This led to the firm's research on the combination of prebiotic Fructooligosaccharides and the green tea amino acid L-theanine.
In previous studies, L-Theanine has been found to improve attention, enhance working memory and executive functions. Further, several studies have observed brain health benefits of prebiotics interventions, via the mechanism of the gut-brain axis.
Green Bioactives claims to have carried out a promising clinical study on its new complex indicating its memory benefits, with results set to be published in the coming weeks.
The complex can be incorporated into capsule, tablet, powder, and beverage formulations, with a range of pack sizes for the raw material alongside a private label offering.
Bruno Dedeurwaerdere, Market Segment Manager Nutraceuticals EMEA at Azelis adds: "We are thrilled about this new partnership with Green Bioactives for Spain and Portugal. The distribution of the GBL-Memory1TM complex will not only enrich Azelis' range of memory solutions, but will also enable us to meet the growing demand for high-quality products in a fast expanding market."
Meaney adds that the next target territory of distribution for this ingredient will be North America.
Biotech plants
Green Bioactives manufactures a range of plant-based ingredients using its Plant Cell Culture Technology to "naturally and sustainably" produce ingredients that may otherwise be challenging to obtain at the required volume.
Plant vascular stem cells (VSCs) can adapt into functionally and structurally distinct primary plant tissues. By creating the right environment, plant vascular stem cells can be cultured to produce target bioactive molecules which are found naturally in whole plants.
Green Bioactives' team of scientists dissects target plant primary vascular stems cells from leaf materials in whole plants known to produce the target natural product. The dissected cells are grown on solid media, with the appropriate nutrients and growth hormones to induce their proliferation away from their host plant. The proliferated cells are then transferred to, and cultured in, liquid media for further proliferation and associated scale up.
The technology has been found to increase yields of target bioactive molecules by up to 50 times thereby increasing concentration and purity of target bioactive molecules.
The firm's portfolio includes two ingredients for topical skin care products: GBL-Skin Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) providing the antioxidant benefits of of liquorice plant to promote skin brightening properties; and GBL-Skin² Saponin (Quillaja saponaria), produced from cells of the Chilean Soap Bark Tree to act as a natural emulsifier for use in cosmetic products.
