Comet Bio highlights ingredient’s GI tolerance at SHIFT20

16 Jul 2020 --- SHIFT20 has concluded, but the stand-out ingredients presented still resonate with industry. At the virtual show, multinational Comet Bio showcased a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial, which evaluated the gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability and prebiotic effects of arabinoxylan. The results found that consumers can take up to 12 g of the plant fiber extract, marketed as Arrabina, per day, with no negative gut or bowel reaction. Furthermore, the trial revealed that the fiber ingredient promotes the growth of Bifidobacteria, further proving its prebiotic potential.

“Our proprietary water extraction technology makes it possible to produce Arabinoxylan and other nutrition from upcycled crop leftovers,” says Comet Bio CEO, Rich Troyer. “Our process uses water and pressure to produce arabinoxylan as a fully-soluble powder with superior functionality. Arrabina’s low viscosity means it will not gel or impact texture when added as a supplement to protein powders or as a fiber boost for nutrition bars, baked goods and drinks.”

Clinically proven GI tolerance
The outstanding tolerability makes Arrabina unique within the prebiotic market. Prebiotics play a pivotal role in the microbiome by supplying the crucial, non-digestible ingredients that fuel the growth of good bacteria, including probiotics. However, many popular prebiotics can cause GI distress and bloating, the company explains, making it difficult for consumers to incorporate them into their healthy diets. To this prebiotic conundrum, Comet Bio pegs Arrabina as a solution.

Proprietary water extraction technology makes it possible to produce Arabinoxylan from upcycled crop leftovers. Source: Comet Bio“The clinical trial results prove that Arrabina is well-tolerated,” says Andrew Richard, Chief Technology Officer of Comet Bio. “The results add to the body of the clinical evidence we have assembled, including structure-function claims that our arabinoxylan plant fiber extract, Arrabina, is a prebiotic that helps maintain healthy blood sugar and supports immunity.”

“This is a novel and innovative product and process and a way to get a useful prebiotic commercially available for a whole host of applications. GI tolerance is an issue with all prebiotic products, and it’s something that every manufacturer and consumer wants to know about in the existing marketplace,” Richard adds.

The clinical trial administered by the leading research organization, Biofortis, was completed with 44 healthy individuals who consumed Arrabina for three weeks at 6 or 12 g per day or a placebo. Participants ranked eight areas for gut and bowel discomfort, including gas, bloating, and nausea, to compare any potential differences in GI tolerance of the three treatments. The study concludes that even at a high dosage of 12 g per day, there were no statistical differences in GI scores between Arrabina and the placebo.

Richard notes that the company plans to carry out more research to uncover the ingredient’s beneficial potential for gut health.

The right extraction technology
Despite its exceptional prebiotic and health benefits, arabinoxylan has not been widely available for use due to inefficient extraction technology. Comet Bio saw this market need and determined its patented upcycling technology would be the answer.

Muffins with Arrabina prebiotic fiber showcased at SHIFT20.  Source: Comet BioBy using upcycled crop leftovers to produce Arabinoxylan, Comet Bio enables farmers to use their whole harvest and prevent food waste. Every year vast amounts of food waste occur, costing consumers an estimated $46 billion. Comet Bio’s Arrabina mitigates this industry waste by extracting nutrients from these leftovers and providing supplement and food companies a healthy, sustainable ingredient.

NutritionInsight has reported on the latest fiber trends and how they are impacting the industry. A roundtable of experts confirms that organic, clean label, gut health, as well as sugar reduction, are enjoying renewed popularity due to COVID-19 leading wellness demands. 

Moreover, other fiber ingredients from chicory root or beetroot are also attracting attention. Recently, Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has approved a health claim for the effect of Sensus’ prebiotic chicory root fiber in terms of increasing bifidobacterium in the intestine. US-based company Intrinsic Organics’ Jerusalem artichoke inulin received a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) No Objection Letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The letter affirms the artichoke fiber’s safety for food applications.

For more of SHIFT20’s nutrition related events and news, read NutritionInsight’s coverage, where experts discuss how global disruptions, that would have been unimaginable last year, lead industry to adapt rapidly, including with managing trade shows. Companies including Cargill, Edlong and CP Kelco have also weighed in on this year’s IFT show. Other highlights include a spotlight on plant-based proteins and the nutritional properties of cranberry seeds. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence can be used to provide direction for NPD and go-to-market strategies for product launches.

Edited by Kristiana Lalou