Lallemand to harness Aventus’ protectant tech in probiotic launch

15 Jun 2021 --- Lallemand Health Solutions has signed an agreement with Canadian delivery technology specialist Aventus Innovations to use its patented NutraJIT platform in probiotic applications, with the launch expected for fall.

NutraJIT stands for “nutraceuticals delivered just in time” and protects ingredients against stomach acids while providing time-release properties. 

The technology is particularly suitable for probiotics, and has also been tested on a number of other ingredients like melatonin, vitamins and minerals. 

“NutraJIT is a derivative of food-product protein and, as such, ticks all the boxes for consumers: all-natural, allergen-free, clean label and added protection,” says Bérengère Feuz, marketing director at Lallemand Health Solutions.

NutraJIT protects active compounds from degrading in stomach acid.“Even though we have existing protective technologies to make sure all our probiotic strains reach their site of action, NutraJIT brings its own additional benefits for consumers.” 

The ingredient creates a gel barrier in a low pH environment, protecting the probiotic formula from stomach acidity. When reaching the intestines, it desegregates as the pH increases, releasing the bacteria where they need to be. 

Nutraceuticals just in time  
NutraJIT is certified as an allergen-free and clean label product.  Aventus says the technology is suitable as a delivery format for ingredients including iron, lactase, melatonin, pancreatin, garlic, niacin, caffeine, enzymes, CBD, peppermint, 5-HTP curcumin, pyridoxine, beta-alanine and more. 

As the company’s flagship product, Aventus has demonstrated its efficacy in preventing degradation in the stomach by showcasing trials in which probiotic capsules using NutraJIT do not dissolve in gastric-like conditions. This is compared to probiotics without the technology, which will dissolve completely within an hour. 

Financial details of Lallemand’s agreement with Aventus have not been disclosed. 

Marie-Eve Boyte, scientific affairs director at Lallemand Health Solutions, says the technology is a “great addition to our existing portfolio.” 

Lallemand partnerships 
This year, Lallemand concluded a long-term partnership with the Natural Health Product Research Alliance, which seeks to improve standardization for the authentication of probiotic strains through the Purity-IQ Certification Program. Lallemand developed strain-specific primers that have been integrated and validated by the NHP RA for the certification platform, called bKITS. 

Last year, Apsen Farmacêutica brought the first psychobiotic for the gut-brain axis with approved health claims to the Brazilian market in partnership with Lallemand Health Solutions. 

Two new products were introduced – Probid and Probians – produced by Lallemand Health Solutions. They contain Cerebiome, the company’s documented probiotic combination of Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175.

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton