Countdown to SupplySide West: dsm-firmenich set to introduce 2.0 postbiotic
16 Oct 2023 --- In the lead up to SupplySide West, Las Vegas, US (October 23-27), dsm-firmenich prepares to unveil its next-level postbiotics that are designed to take the segment beyond gut health into the realms of metabolic and cognitive health.
One way the company has created offerings that formulators are not yet aware they need is with its single-sourced algal omega-3, life’s Omega 03020 and life’s O33-P100 powder.
“Due to the sensitive nature of omega-3 ingredients, they can be challenging for formulators that aim to deliver high eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in gummies while maintaining superior sensory properties. To solve this, dsm-firmenich is launching a new, algal-based, high potency DHA+EPA powder, life’s OMEGA O33-P100,” Srikanth Ineedi, senior marketing manager, “Health from the Gut” at dsm-firmenich, tells Nutrition Insight.
The powder is produced using the company’s proprietary Powder-Loc technology in combination with its life Omega oil. “Powder-Loc uses a double shell system, which keeps the algal DHA+EPA protected and locked into the shell material. The powder is pH, shear and temperature stable and, therefore, perfect for application in gummies,” explains Ineedi.
“Where most existing omega-3 gummies contain less than 100 mg EPA+DHA per two-piece serving, life’s Omega O33-P100 enables significant high loadings, to over 400 mg DHA+EPA in a two-piece serving, giving formulators significant flexibility to increase doses to more meaningful and impactful levels.”
Gut health a strategic priority
Health from the gut is a strategic priority for dsm-firmenich, with keystone species of healthy microbiome support at the core of its portfolio strategy.
“We continue to invest in scientific studies on HMOs for infants and other age groups. Postbiotics is a rapidly emerging segment of the gut health market that is projected to grow strongly,” adds Ineedi.
Postbiotics support digestive and immune health, with emerging science indicating benefits in other health areas, such as metabolic and brain health. The company says its postbiotics are highly stable for various applications and ingredient combinations.
The company uses proprietary technology to infuse its products with omega 3, which it will unveil at SupplySide West later this month.
“As a result of the acquisition of Adare Biome, we have the latest addition to our ‘Health from the Gut’ portfolio, Humiome Post LB, the most clinically studied postbiotic for digestive health,” Ineedi says.
Humiome Post LB has 12 clinicals across all age groups. “Postbiotics are expected to play an important role in many other health areas beyond digestive health, including immune, metabolic and brain health. We’ll continue to explore some of these health benefits through further research,” Ineedi explains.
In June this year, dsm-firmenich began accelerating initiatives to structurally improve its performance in vitamins in light of market challenges. Q2 saw a further weakening of the vitamin markets, affecting expectations for the second half of 2023.
Expanding proprietary postbiotics
The company is continuously expanding its probiotic portfolio with advancements in clinical science and manufacturing technology, in addition to pre- and postbiotics.
“We continue to develop new ingredients and delivery formats to support a healthy gut microbiome, which includes a proprietary technology that delivers vitamins directly to the colon where they can deliver digestive health benefits,” Ineedi explains.
The company’s Humiome solutions deliver digestive health benefits proven through clinical studies, including but not limited to supporting digestive comfort, maintaining gut barrier integrity and reducing abdominal distension and bloating.
Immune health support is another “key benefit area for our microbiome solutions,” according to Ineedi. “Seventy percent of the immune cells are located in the gut, facilitating their interaction with healthy or inanimate bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.”
This month, the company reached a significant milestone in early life nutrition by approving two human milk oligosaccharide ingredients as infant nutrition fortifiers in China.
Earlier this year, it confirmed expansion plans into the strict Chinese infant formula market. The company submitted its GlyCare 3’-sialyllactose and 6’-sialyllactose ingredients to China’s National Health Committee and the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment.
By Inga de Jong
