“An evergreen ingredient”: Rousselot spotlights marine collagen benefits and trending applications

22 Mar 2021 --- Marine collagen is becoming a major trend as consumer demand for highly bioavailable and sustainably sourced ingredients is rising. In this realm, Rousselot is placing emphasis on its Peptan Marine collagen, which is backed by clinical trials, while also flagging that “vegan collagen” is an ambiguous term.

Dr. Sara De Pelsmaeker, global business development for Rousselot Health & Nutrition, tells NutritionInsight that while the aquaculture fish collagen segment remains strong and an important source of fish proteins to meet the global demand, wild-caught marine solutions are also gaining popularity. 

“In fact, marine collagen is expected to show one of the fastest growth rates in the global collagen market. This can be attributed to the rising number of conscientious consumers who demand products from fishing practices that safeguard the health and biodiversity of the world’s oceans.”

Marine’s collagen popularity is also closely driven by its ‘premium’ appeal, De Pelsmaeker notes. 

“According to Innova Market Insights, 51 percent of collagen supplements consumers are willing to invest more to support responsibly sourced and sustainable solutions. This makes clear why a rising number of supplement manufacturers are now compelled to develop and launch such products,” she explains.

Market differentiation
As the collagen landscape changes, nutrition and beauty brands need to maintain innovation, adapting their product offerings to address the latest trends, De Pelsmaeker supports.

Dr. Sara De Pelsmaeker, global business development for Rousselot Health & Nutrition.There is currently an increase noted in market products containing wild-caught marine collagen, with an increase of 70 percent of new product launches from 2018 to 2019, according to Innova Market Insights data. 

This growing demand for innovation-led Rousselot to update its offering with the launch of the new Peptan Marine, in January. 

“Sourced from 100 percent wild-caught marine white fish and certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), this solution allows manufacturers to differentiate and expand their portfolio with sustainably sourced, premium nutricosmetics and dietary supplements,” she says.

Peptan Marine is safe, fully traceable and compliant with EU and US regulations regarding antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, heavy metals and toxins.

It also holds IFS and HACCP production certifications, making it a good option for brands who want to tap into the growing market of premium collagen solutions.

Bioavailability strides
A recent study, led by Rousselot in collaboration with INRAe and Triskelion, presents scientific evidence of Peptan’s high bioavailability, according to De Pelsmaeker. 

Targeted analysis of human serum drawn after Peptan intake showed increased levels of hydroxyproline-carrying dipeptides, well-known in scientific literature as markers for collagen bioavailability and described to carry bioactivity. 

Investigating the transformation that different types of collagen peptides undergo during digestion and absorption, this study confirmed and strengthened the conclusions of previous studies.

It proved that Peptan products are well digested, no matter the animal source, as during the digestion and absorption process, the average molecular weight drops and they become similar and also confirming Peptan’s range high bioavailability. 

“More precisely, the human serum analysis revealed the presence of bioactive hydroxyproline-carrying dipeptides in the blood after Peptan ingestion,” says De Pelsmaeker.

“These dipeptides (Hydroxyproline-Glycine and Proline-Hydroxyproline) significantly contributed to the total increase of hydroxyproline, the characteristic amino acid of collagen, in the blood.”

Trending collagen applications
While supplements and sports nutrition remain the leading categories for food and beverage collagen applications, functional foods have been emerging as a quickly developing market, according to De Pelsmaeker. 

According to Innova Market Insights data, collagen-fortified categories of soups, bakery, desserts and ice cream and cereal bars have all witnessed a significant year-on-year growth (from 2019 to 2020), featuring 167 percent, 82 percent, 50 percent and 28 percent increase, respectively.

“In terms of drinks, the numbers are also impressive with a growing number of products, such as trendy drinks like hard seltzers and plant-inspired waters, featuring collagen as an added functional ingredient and skyrocketing their year-on-year growth for the same period by marking double digits,” she says. 

Is collagen vegan?
When it comes to alternatives to collagen, such as the trending vegan collagen platforms that several industry players are launching, De Pelsmaeker says that “clearly, vegan collagen cannot contain any collagen.”

“According to the EU parliament, the term ‘collagen’ refers to ‘the protein-based product derived from animal bones, hides, skins and tendons manufactured in accordance with the relevant requirements of this Regulation,’” she says. 

“Therefore, the term itself might mislead consumers. Animal collagen contains hydroxyproline and collagen-derived peptides carry bioactivity, which plant-based proteins cannot contain, De Pelsmaeker highlights.

Future moves for Rousselot
De Pelsmaeker says that Rousselot sees collagen not as a trend but as an ‘evergreen’ active ingredient, valuable for its rich heritage and health benefits that are backed by modern science. 

“The release of Peptan Marine marks another step toward our sustainability promise and commitment to help bring a positive impact to the environment and community, as well as actively listening and serving the growing consumer demand for solutions that respond to this need.” 

By balancing available fish sources, Rousselot aims to enrich the marine collagen market with a certified solution and move toward a more sustainable future, she notes.

“Rousselot we work with our co-branded customers to bring this ingredient to market in innovative branded applications that stand out on the retail shelf while simultaneously raising the awareness of sustainability’s importance when it comes to wild-caught fish.” 

This is part of Rousselot’s commitment to promoting responsible and local sourcing, proactive environmental stewardship and the overall integration of environmental, health and safety protocols throughout our operations, De Pelsmaeker concludes.

By Kristiana Lalou