DuPont experts weigh in on probiotics and delivery formats at Vitafoods

10 Sep 2020 --- DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences is spotlighting offerings from a new probiotic to plant-based capsules that provide improved thermal stability at Vitafoods Virtual Expo 2020. This assortment addresses a range of significant consumer trends from immunity to diversifying delivery formats.

“Different generations have varying needs. Gen Z consumers look for sustainable and plant-based supplements, while Millennials look for supplements that support mental health, stress management and energy. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers are concerned about health aspects related to bones, joints and mobility,” Michael Baumann, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences’ global strategic marketing manager, tells NutritionInsight.

He also observes a continued paradigm shift toward preventive healthcare, which fuels the dietary supplement market. 

This year especially, COVID-19 has seen consumers increasingly turn to vitamins and botanical supplements to strengthen their immune systems.

“During COVID-19, consumers have adjusted their lifestyles and placed more emphasis on healthy eating, exercising and supplementing their diets. These habits are expected to remain high priorities for consumers long after the pandemic,” he adds. 

The increased focus on health and well-being amid the pandemic has also seen the company’s probiotics category grow in recent months. 

“No one knows for sure, but there’s an expectation that there will be some sustained growth in the category. This is as shifts in behavior eventually become on-going routines to maintain health and well-being,” notes Vanessa Bailey, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences’ global marketing leader for probiotics.Michael Baumann is DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences’ global strategic marketing manager.

Functional foods for time-starved consumers
Busy consumers seeking foods with functional benefits versus eating purely for satiety marks another major trend. 

“Consumers seek dietary supplements that seamlessly fit into their lifestyles and diets while providing excellent consumer experiences and addressing their needs for sustainability and affordability,” says Baumann.

Bailey chimes in that adding probiotics to a food or beverage allows consumers to enjoy added functional benefits in popular formats, such as bars or kombucha.

In this space, the company is showcasing Bacillus subtilis Bss-19. It is a highly stable, spore-forming probiotic bacteria adept at surviving tough functional F&B applications. This includes products such as kombucha or fruit juices, where traditional lactic acid bacteria may not be ideal.

It launched in the US and Canadian food categories in spring. Bailey hopes it will be sold in US dietary supplements “very soon” as well. “We will also be launching in the EU and Asian markets soon in the food, beverage and dietary supplement categories where markets allow.”

Bailey notes that the spore probiotic can be used in supplement formats such as gummies. “These have seen steady growth in the category, but can pose a stability challenge for manufacturers.” 

“We have a large global network of formulation and applications experts who understand how to formulate not just probiotics, but other important ingredients such as pectin for gummy formulation.”

Diversifying delivery formats
Baumann also underlines the importance of delivery formats. Consumers’ preference for supplement formats, ingredients and label claims vary by region and are driven by demographics. This can lead to complexity in the supplement product development pipelines, he continues.

Within each format category, sub-segments exist, such as chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets or chewable softgels. 

“The trend to tailor supplements will continue, with the objective being to provide a more personalized supplement and consumer experience,” he says. 

One major format trend is that of plant-based capsules. According to Baumann, this is fueled by consumers seeking to add more animal-free, sustainable products to their diets to address ethical, religious or health preferences.Vanessa Bailey is DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences’ global marketing leader for probiotics. 

Plant-based ingredients
In addition to addressing environmental demands, DuPont’s plant-based ingredients also have functional advantages. They are touted as delivering better thermal stability in capsules and gummies than animal-based gelatin.

Baumann explains that gelatin is still the most commonly used and least expensive option to produce hard and soft capsules. However, this can present some challenges. 

“For example, gelatin in hard capsules require a higher water content in the capsule shell, which can be problematic for moisture-sensitive supplements. Gelatin can also interact with the fill material leading to discoloration and crosslinking, impacting capsules’ stability and dissolution properties.”

On the other hand, plant-based capsules are more stable, show reduced deformation at elevated temperatures and feature low electrostatic charging that is beneficial for dry powder filling.

Despite taking place online, this year’s Vitafoods trade show has seen a wealth of activity, including in the beauty-from-within and sports nutrition spaces. Other hot topics include healthy aging and ethical sourcing. 

By Katherine Durrell