Rousselot spotlights new joint health ingredient Colartix at Vitafoods Europe 2022

12 May 2022 --- Collagen-based solutions provider Rousselot is showcasing its latest Colartix ingredient, a collagen matrix from natural cartilage for joint care, at Vitafoods Europe 2022. The ingredient made from naturally occurring collagen peptides and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) was recently shown in a “real life” study to steadily decrease joint discomfort across demographics. 

NutritionInsight speaks with Gaëtan Noiret, global director at Rousselot, from the show floor, who details what distinguishes the launch from the company’s current mobility portfolio.

“This is an ingredient with targeted benefits; Colartix is all about the joint, from joint care to reducing joint discomfort,” Noiret explains. 

Gaetan Noiret, global director at Rousselot.Tested across ages and activities To test how beneficial the ingredient might be in real life, Rousselot conducted an online consumer study, where users downloaded an app and could score their pain.

“We wanted to do something different than the classical clinical study and include as much diversity as possible,” says Noiret.

Over 200 consumers participated in the study and took either 1 g of Colartix or 1 g of placebo. 

“We really saw a significant decrease of pain for all genders, ages and exercise activities, with the first relief of joint discomfort happening quite fast – after just three weeks.” 

Formulation considerations 
Noiret highlights that Colartix’s consumer-reported benefits at the low dose of 1 g opens up a range of functional food and beverage formulation possibilities. 

Innova Market Insights estimated the global functional food and beverages market for bone and joint health at US$15.2 billion in 2021. 

“Colartix can easily be masked and formulated in the different products in terms of functional food. It is also suitable for applications in tablet, capsule form and liquid shots.” 

The applications are “unlimited,” he says. 

Colartix is available in porcine and bovine sources and some forms are certified halal. The ingredient is pegged as suitable for dietary supplements and functional F&B, with the potential to be incorporated in joint supplements.

Focusing on joint health and mobility 
Rousselot also notes the number of individuals aged 60 and above is predicted to double in less than 30 years, reaching 2.1 billion. Therefore, there is space for a new generation of nutritional products designed to maintain bone and joint health while also assisting an aging global population in staying active in later life.

Colartix is Rousselot’s first ingredients exclusively focused on joint health.Also exhibited at the show is Peptan P, the company’s flagship collagen brand. It is pegged as a highly bioavailable collagen peptide ingredient that provides a wide range of scientifically supported health advantages, including joint support and bone health and improved skin and hair beauty.

Rousselot emphasizes Peptan P’s benefits, an accessible premium-quality porcine collagen solution with a short time to market, during this year’s Vitafoods event. On-stand samples, including an oat-based breakfast solution customized for the nutritional needs of seniors, allow event attendees to experience the functional and sensory features of Peptan P.

The company previously opened a new production line for porcine collagen within its Belgium-based plant. Porcine collagen is pegged as “highly bioavailable,” with the bioactive protein Peptan P being used in supplements for joint and muscle support.

Gummy applications
Rousselot also highlights the advantages of porcine collagen ingredients and its SiMoGel gelatin solution for nutraceutical gummies.

As traditional starch molding procedures risk active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) cross-contamination, SiMoGel may enable a smoother manufacturing process.

Noiret explains that manufacturers may produce functional, liquid-center filled gummies utilizing an inherently hygienic, starch-free molding procedure using its SiMoGel gelatin solution.

With virtually no risk of contact with the gelatin excipient, these “revolutionary gummy caps” allow for higher and more accurate API dosage.

The company’s functional gummy gelatin-based solution SiMoGel patent application was granted by the European Patent Office (EPO).

Previously, Rousselot’s gelatin excipient solution – StabiCaps – was also granted an EPO patent. The gelatin excipient increases soft gel formation and stability.

By Nicole Kerr, with live reporting by Missy Green at Vitafoods Europe