Cold pressed collaboration: Taiyo succeeds in chia oil shelf-life extension

With a content of more than 60 percent alpha-Linolenic acid, Xia Oil from Chilean chia seeds is the richest natural source of vegetarian omega 3 fatty acids on the market, making it an ideal dietary supplement for vegetarians and vegans. A regular intake has a positive effect on heart health, blood circulation and cortisol levels. 

Healthy oils are usually very sensitive to oxidation and perish quickly. To counteract this problem, Taiyo has collaborated with Benexia, one of the leading cultivators and processors of chia seed ingredients for the nutritional, food and beverage industries. Working closely together, the two companies have successfully developed XIA PURE Ox Blocker technology. 

The patented technique provides improved oxidative stability and a longer shelf-life for the high quality, 100 percent natural seed oil. Benexia is responsible for the entire supply chain of the oil in Chile, thus ensuring its quality from cultivation to harvesting and processing.

By cold pressing of the chia seeds without using chemical solvents or thickening agents, the oil retains its natural tocopherols. It can be kept for up to two years at normal ambient temperatures, during which time the antioxidant ORAC-level remains constant. Xia Oil is almost colorless and tasteless, with a slightly nutty note. As such, it can be used in powder form, added to juices, smoothies and mueslis, or utilized as a rapeseed or olive oil substitute in dressings.

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“Chia Oil is the richest vegetarian source of omega 3 fatty acids in nature. It consists of 60 percent alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acid that has, among other benefits, a positive effect on the immune system, metabolism and blood pressure. Also containing polysaccharides, which inhibit carbohydrate breakdown in the gut, it can also contribute to gastrointestinal well-being and a healthy diet as well. In addition, Xia Oil has an anti-inflammatory effect and is rich in valuable nutrients and trace elements,” says Stefan Siebrecht, Managing Director of Taiyo GmbH and micronutrient expert.

To ensure the safety of its nutraceutical products, Taiyo’s chia ingredients are sterilized using an approved Log-5 reduction technology. Apart from Xia Oil, the company offers food grade white or black chia seeds, as well as micronized chia protein and fiber with standardized particle sizes. 

“Chia oil meets the requirement of the market as a sustainable and vegan source for omega 3,” Siebrecht tells NutritionInsight. “As it is extremely high in the omega 3 ALA it can help to achieve the target consumption of O6:O3 of 4:1. Actually, humans in the civilized countries consume O6:O3 in a ratio of 20:1 to 50:1 which causes chronic inflammation which is the cause of many diseases in the civilized countries such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, rheumatism, allergies, asthma and many more.” 

Siebrecht claims that since chia oils taste much better than other omega 3 rich oils it can be included in many new food applications such as oils, mayonnaises but also drinks, dairy products, protein shakes, beverages such as Latte, cold coffee or cold tea beverages, weight management products. “The biggest potential of chia oil is the incorporation of chia oil into new applications such as vegan Latte beverages, cold coffee and cold tea beverages,” he adds. 

Siebrecht notes that at the moment they are developing a lot of different products such as:
-    Certain beverages with Chia oil such as Vegan Chia Latte. 
-    Protein shakes for athletes or weight management. 
-    Powder versions of Chia Oil.
-    Chia oil blends with other oils.
-    O3-D3- Products Chia Oil with vegan Vitamin D3. 

“We also work on the legalization of Chia protein and Chia Fiber for functional foods such as bakery products or protein shakes,” he adds.

Taiyo also works on powdered Xia Oil that is sprayed on Sunfiber, a water-soluble dietary bean fiber, for this as ALA-powder in powder shakes and food products. These ingredients allow the high-quality nutrition of chia to be added to a broader range of formulations, such as capsules, beverages, various powder blends and healthy fats blends. All products are certified gluten-free, halal, kosher and vegan. 

Taiyo exclusively offers Chia products from BENEXIA (Chile) which is fully vertically integrated (plant cultivation, production, extraction and concentration processes, ingredients development), from chia agricultural production plant towards the final ingredients and solutions. BENEXIA guarantees traceability from the fields, and certified quality (GAP, GMP-HACCP and FSC 22000), Halal and Kosher.

In a recent interview with NutritionInsight, Taiyo’s Technical Sales Director Derek Timm Ph.D., RDN, speaks about the company’s soluble fiber ingredient; Sunfiber, which it touts as providing all the benefits of a dietary fiber, without the negatives. Although Sunfiber has mainly been featured in medical and beverage applications, Taiyo plans to broaden this scope by combining the ingredient with other bioactives to target health concerns that go beyond digestion, the gut and regularity. For example, Taiyo’s entry into the “mood food” space is signified by its range of products targeting the "gut-brain axis."

Taiyo GmbH is a pioneer in the research and manufacture of functional ingredients for the food, beverage, medical food and pharmaceutical industry. Taiyo focuses on the development of innovative ingredients derived from natural sources to support health. Since its foundation in 1946, Taiyo has established itself as a leader in the development and production of emulsifiers, stabilizers, egg and tea-based ingredients, and highly functional ingredients for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Today, Taiyo manufactures more than 2,000 food formulations, processed eggs, fruit preparations, flavorings, emulsifiers, stabilizers and functional ingredients at various manufacturing facilities around the world. With its own “Research and Application Competence Centre (Taiyo RACE),” Taiyo GmbH is able to create new and innovative formulations based on their most recent studies. 

By Robin Wyers

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