Beyond The Headlines: Clasado Biosciences hits scientific milestone, MycoTechnology’s truffle-based sweetener

19 Apr 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, Clasado Biosciences’ Bimuno GOS (galacto-oligosaccharide) ingredient hit a scientific milestone. At the same time, MycoTechnology revealed that it is upscaling the production of a truffle-based alternative sweetener. Meanwhile, Natura’s partnered with the Global FoodBanking Network to improve nutrition security in Central America.

Nutrition News
Clasado Biosciences’ revealed that its prebiotic ingredient, Bimuno GOS, has been included in 120 scientific publications confirming its efficacy in microbiome modulation for health and well-being. Bimuno GOS is a leading prebiotic for gastrointestinal (GI), immune and athletic health. The company spotlights that this latest research, a synbiotic study with Probi AB, underscores the ingredient’s synbiotic potential.

Meanwhile, MycoTechnology said it is progressing toward the commercialization of a recently discovered sweet protein extracted from honey truffles. The company said the protein may be used as an alternative to sugar. The fermentation player scaled protein production up to 3,000 liter tanks in under a year. Naturally derived and — according to the company — sweeter than sucrose, the honey truffle sweetener has undergone rigorous safety tests confirming it to be non-allergenic, non-toxic and fully digestible. MycoTechnology said it is now preparing for regulatory submissions while working to optimize the manufacturing processes and collaborating with industry partners to bring the sustainable sweetener to market.

Unilever’s Central American food brand Natura’s joined forces with the Global FoodBanking Network to improve food and nutrition security in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. The collaboration, supported by a US$100,000 donation from Natura’s, will help provide essential food and resources to underserved people in the regions and strengthen community resilience.

The World Food Program US and the Lions Clubs International Foundation announced a US$4 million partnership to support the UN World Food Programme’s school meals programs in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Ecuador. Each organization contributed US$2 million to help integrate these programs with local farming, enhancing community food systems, nutrition and local economies. This collaboration aims to combat global malnutrition affecting millions of children by strengthening food security and ensuring sustainable, locally integrated food solutions for educational environments.

Business News
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) opened a new co-creation center in Wageningen, Netherlands. Positioned in the “Food Valley,” the center expands the company’s research and innovation capabilities. Additionally, IFF said the facility would foster closer collaboration between the company, customers and Wageningen University. The center is equipped with advanced labs, a demo kitchen and innovation spaces to facilitate the development of new flavors and food concepts.

Verdure Sciences announced that its Witholytin Withania somnifera extract successfully passed the US Pharmacopeia (USP) Ingredient Verification Program. The verification means the ingredients have been shown to meet the USP’s quality standards, which involves testing ingredients, auditing manufacturing practices, and reviewing safety and standards documentation. The certification distinguishes the Witholytin offering and includes Verdure Sciences on the USP’s website.

Product Launches
Functional mushroom nootropic producer Roots unveiled its “Roots Focus” supplement line, which blends caffeine and functional mushrooms for brain health and energy. Roots emphasizes that the product provides a sustainable energy boost with minimal caffeine side effects and includes nootropic ingredients for cognitive and overall health. The new supplements are designed to support sustained focus and mental sharpness and contain a blend of cordyceps, Lion’s Mane and reishi mushroom powders, as well as turmeric, Rhodiola extract and salidroside. The offering comes in four low-calorie and sugar-free flavors, including spicy pineapple, blackberry-lavender lemonade, strawberry watermelon and fruit punch.

Also, Starco Brands launched Soylent Complete Protein Powder for protein shakes in chocolate and vanilla flavors. The protein powder is sugar-free and contains 30 g of protein, essential vitamins and minerals. The new offering also features branched-chain amino acids, medium-chain triglycerides and docosahexaenoic acid to support muscle recovery, bone health and lower cholesterol. According to the company, the vegan-friendly powder contains no artificial additives.

Scientific Studies
A UK-based study from the University of Bristol has identified the demographics most susceptible to internalized weight stigma. The study included people who were pressured to lose weight during adolescence, females, non-heterosexual individuals and those facing socioeconomic challenges. Published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe, the research used data from over 4,000 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to explore the impact of family pressure, media influence and bullying on internalized weight stigma by age 31. The findings suggest a need for societal change in handling weight discussions to mitigate long-term psychological effects.

A team of researchers at the University of New Mexico, US, discovered that microplastics ingested through daily exposure can migrate from the GI tract to tissues in the liver, kidney and brain. The results show that the microplastics can influence metabolic pathways and potentially exacerbate conditions like intestinal inflammation. The findings further suggest that continuous exposure from infancy to old age could have significant adverse health implications on gut microbiota and immune responses and complicate GI issues such as inflammatory bowel disease. The research team revealed it is also exploring how diet influences microplastic uptake further to understand the systemic effects of microplastics on human health.

By William Bradford Nichols