Polyphenols supplier Fytexia acquires Vital Solutions
Through this purchase, the French supplier of brown propolis extracts is hoping to reinforce its leadership in science-based polyphenols addressing new health categories, such as gut health and cognitive functions.
The strategic move confirms the ambition of ABFI to accelerate the development of Fytexia and its presence in the nutritional ingredient market, according to Matthieu Arguillere, Managing director of Fytexia.
He says: “Vital Solutions is a dynamic and market-oriented business with a successful track record of introducing innovative health ingredients to international markets, serving the dietary supplements industry. The ingredients developed by Vital Solutions will make an excellent addition to our range of scientifically supported ingredients.”
Dr. Sybille Buchwald-Werner, CEO of Vital Solutions, adds: “Joining Fytexia within ABFI was a natural move to Vital Solutions. We believe that the cultures of the two companies are very close and that Fytexia will accelerate the commercial development of Vital Solutions’ portfolio of ingredients.”
ABFI, a division of Associated British Foods plc, is a specialty ingredients leader which offers innovative, differentiated, and value-added products and services to the food, nutrition, pharmaceutical, animal feed and industrial sectors.
ABFI comprises a group of companies operating worldwide under their own identities: AB Enzymes, working in enzymes; AB Biotek HNH, in microbiome modulating solutions; ABITEC Corporation, specialty lipids and surfactants; Fytexia, scientifically studied ingredients for nutraceuticals; Ohly, yeast extracts and culinary powders; PGP International, extruded ingredients and specialty flours; and SPI Pharma, antiacids, pharmaceutical excipients, and drug development services.
Recent scientific advances
Fytexia Group, which was acquired by ABF Ingredients last year, focuses on the research and scientific validation of bioactive compounds to deliver functional ingredients for the improvement of human health and wellbeing, targeting non-communicable diseases.
The Group is comprised of two businesses, Fytexia, a global expert in polyphenols, and Italy-based B Natural, a European leader for the extraction and refinement of brown propolis after the two firms signed a partnership agreement in 2021.
The team at Fytexia recently published research indicating that its Oxxynea ingredients, offering a combination of polyphenol rich extracts from multiple botanicals, may boost levels of beneficial metabolites in the blood and help fill gaps associated with low fruit and vegetable consumption.
Writing in Nutrients, scientists report that supplementation with Oxxynea led to a sustained exposure to several polyphenolic metabolites and catabolites, “and reduces the inter-individual variation that could arise from supplementing only one class of (poly)phenol”.
Commenting on the potential implications of their proof-of-concept pharmacokinetic study, the researchers noted: “Dietary (poly)phenol intake derived from the daily consumption of five portions of fruits and vegetables could protect against the development of non-communicable diseases. However, the general population does not meet the recommended intake. Supplementation with (poly)phenol-rich ingredients, within a varied and balanced diet, could help in filling this nutritional gap.”
