New High Fiber Ingredient Created From Apple Production Waste Stream

22 Dec 2016 --- The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are well known, but the New Zealand biotech company, based in Hamilton; CNS Biotechnology, is moving this idea to the next level by introducing the concept of “Inner Fitness.” Most fiber products are marketed for bowel regularity.

CNS Biotechnology is launching its biologically active, functional fiber called FibaFit, which promotes both the health and fitness of the gut and digestive system in ways that traditional fiber products can’t do.

CNS Biotechnology intends to fill the increasing consumer demand for a novel ingredient that is capable of doing more than most bulking laxative fibers. In addition to being gentle on the gut, consumers want a product that is functionally superior, one that can help with heart health, support weight management, promote the growth and development of beneficial bacteria, and even assist with the specific nutritional needs of diabetics. CNS Biotechnology calls this multi-dimensional effect on gut health as “Inner Fitness.”

Developed from the skins and fiber pulp from five different varieties of New Zealand grown apples, FibaFit also includes a range of many lesser-known bioactive compounds, which are not generally present in apple juice or apple puree. These bioactive ingredients are usually removed in the waste-stream of apple processing, however, they are also regarded as the most useful compounds of apple in promoting human health. FibaFit is manufactured from a patented process that ensures much higher levels of these important bioactive compounds.

According to the company’s consultant scientist, Rob Martin, the benefits of this process patented counter-current production process gives FibaFit an exceptional level of both bioactive flavonoid compounds and functional fiber. Mr Martin points to a number of published studies in North America and Europe that involved several thousand subjects over a period of 10-24 years that demonstrates the benefits of the bioactive compounds found in FibaFit.

“We know there are benefits from drinking green tea and that these benefits come from flavonoid compounds in tea,” Martin said, “but surprisingly, in one study researchers reported that bioactive flavonoid compounds from the skins of apples were more beneficial to human health than similar bioactive flavonoid compounds found in green and black tea. The problem is that you must eat a lot of apples to get this benefit.”

“What is exciting for CNS Biotechnology,” Martin said, “is why New Zealand grown apples are better. These bioactive flavonoid compounds are much higher in New Zealand grown apples when compared to the same varieties grown in the Northern Hemisphere and the reason for this is quite simple.”

“The plants and fruits all need to protect themselves from the high levels of UV-B light found in New Zealand, and these bioactive flavonoid compounds such as those in apples are like a plant’s own sunscreen. These are also the very same compounds that provide us with the health benefits when consumed in the diet.”

Martin explains to NutritionInsight that when CNS Biotech developed Fibafit, the original intended applications for Fibafit was as a prebiotic to support colonic microflora.

“There is a lot of data on the function of apple fibre supporting gut bacteria producing short chain fatty acids,” he explains.

“These SCFAs tend to promote satiety and there is also a correlation between increased production of SCFAs and reduced colonic polyps. Apple fibre contains around 75% dietary fibre and polyphenolics, both of which are a source of prebiotics. There is a growing body of evidence around the prebiotic role of polyphenolics.”

“However, more recently the company's focus has changed towards the role of apple fibre supporting satiety through the release of appetite suppressing hormones (PYY and GLP-1),” he says.

“In 2017, we will be further testing Fibafit's effect on appetite suppression and weight loss, when it is added as an adjunct ingredient to a protein powder formulation, such as whey or soy protein concentrates.”

“We plan to position this product as an ingredient that supports the specific dietary needs of those with metabolic syndrome, specifically those that need to loss weight.”

Martin adds that in addition to weight loss, there is also epidemiological data indicating how apple can improve cardiovascular outcomes.

“New Zealand grown apples have a disproportionally higher level of biofavionoid content due to the stress of being grown under high levels of UV-B light. Due to the hole in ozone layer over the Southern Ocean, New Zealand has a 40% higher level of UV-B light exposure then the region with same latitude and elevation in the Northern hemisphere.”

The high levels of UV sunlight in New Zealand have been shown to elevate levels of biologically active phytonutrients in fruits, vegetables, and edible plants, which makes these NZ produces demonstrably healthier. It is this unique growing environment in NZ, which is why CNS Biotechnology can develop such novel, biologically active ingredients. 

CNS Biotechnology has been in discussion with some New Zealand manufacturers who have been looking for a locally produced source of biologically active, functional fiber.

The Company has already fielded inquiries from international product manufacturers who like the concept of Inner Fitness from FibaFit because it provides their customers with an excellent source of dietary fiber from New Zealand, along with the additional benefits of heart health, weight management and supporting the nutritional needs of diabetics.