Ingredion acquires Benicaros upcycled prebiotic fiber from NutriLeads

F&B ingredients supplier Ingredion has acquired the patented prebiotic fiber Benicaros, made from upcycled carrot pomace clinically shown to support immune health. The ingredient was developed by NutriLeads, a health ingredients company and innovation firm based in the Netherlands. 

Financial details of the acquisition have not yet been made public. The acquisition is an asset deal that includes full ownership of all intellectual property, trademarks, human clinical trials, and know-how related to manufacturing the product.

“As we expand our functional ingredients offering, Benicaros’ versatility and health benefits makes it a perfect fit for our portfolio,” says Nate Yates, Ingredion’s VP and general manager of sugar reduction and fiber fortification.

“This highly differentiated prebiotic carrot fiber addresses the limitations of traditional prebiotic fibers that require high daily intake, have tolerance issues, and formulation challenges.”

Feeding good bacteria

Ingredion highlights that Benicaros — also referred to as carrot rhamnogalacturonan-I or cRG-I — stimulates beneficial gut bacteria, resulting in immune health benefits at extremely low dose of 1 g.

Prior research suggests that Benicaros increases beneficial bacteria in the gut, regardless of individual differences in microbiome composition.

The water-soluble ingredient poses minimal effect on taste, texture, or odor. This makes it versatile for use in functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.

“The benefits list of Benicaros is quite long, and the fact that it comes from upcycling carrot juice production, supporting sustainability and a circular-economy, is all the more exciting,” adds Yates.

Aside from its upcycled label, Benicaros addresses multiple consumer demands by being plant-based, clean label, kosher, halal, and gluten-free.

According to Innova Market Insights data, one in two global consumers regard the activities of recycling and upcycling as part of their responsibility toward the environment. More than half of these consumers surveyed are willing to pay a premium for these waste-reducing ingredients.

Scientific backing

Prior research suggests that Benicaros increases beneficial bacteria in the gut, regardless of individual differences in microbiome composition.

Nutrition Insight previously connected with Sue McKay, nutrition and health manager at NutriLeads, to explore in more detail how the ingredient’s fiber structure and rapid fermentation process in the gut might be the reasons behind its unique gut benefits. 

Last August, NutriLeads released peer-reviewed findings supporting the health benefits of Benicaros for the gut microbiome in dogs — regardless of breed, size, or baseline microbiota.

For human nutrition, NutriLeads created Benicaros F&B, a formulation of its plant-based prebiotic designed specifically for functional foods and beverages. The company said the addition expanded the Benicaros product line with a cost-effective, formulation-ready solution that delivers gut and immune health benefits in a one-gram-per-day serving.