Solabia-Algatech Nutrition debuts astaxanthin algae gummies with vitamin C ahead of SupplySide West

12 Oct 2022 --- Microalgae cultivator Solabia-Algatech Nutrition is launching its astaxanthin whole algae complex – AstaPure Arava – in a gummy format as it broadens its portfolio of astaxanthin-based products.

The company will introduce the new delivery system at SupplySide West in Las Vegas, US, on November 2-3, at booth 3640.

Solabia-Algatech promotes its new offering as a unique, vegan, pectin-based food supplement boasting a more flavorsome medium for delivering its flagship astaxanthin ingredient. The ingredient is drawn from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis.

The move comes a year after the company introduced its ready-to-mix AstaPure powder concept, mainly targeting premix formulations for smoothies.

Antioxidant boost
The plant-based gummies are currently available as a cherry-flavored chewy treat. Each gummy houses 4 mg of the whole astaxanthin algae complex and 50 mg of vitamin C and contains no preservatives or synthetic colors. One to two gummies per day can provide the recommended daily dose of the two antioxidants.

“Integrating our prized ingredient into the gummy application was actually quite a smooth process,” says Dr. Omer Grundman, VP of R&D at Solabia-Algatech. “Our AstaPure Arava powder was shown to perform well in a gel medium and the integrity and stability of its naturally occurring carotenoids remain intact.”

AstaPure is produced in the desert region south of Israel.“Astaxanthin is an extremely powerful antioxidant and is one of the most potent carotenoids in nature, surpassing lutein, lycopene and β-carotene,” adds Liat Shemesh, marketing manager at Solabia-Algatech.

“AstaPure Arava contains 3% of astaxanthin along with amino acids, vitamins, minerals and polysaccharides – attributes highly extolled and sought after by consumers looking to consume whole foods and boost and maintain vitality and well-being. At the same time, they are also demanding more convenient and tastier means of incorporating such ingredients into their daily routines.”

The gummy trend
As the trend for gummies continues to sweep the nutraceutical landscape, the company says its astaxanthin gummies are designed to offer supplement providers a ready-to-market gummy product. It will be commercialized on a private-label basis.

Innova Market Insights has flagged an uptick in functional gummy sales. According to its reports, during the first eight months of 2021, one-quarter of vitamin and mineral launches were gummies. Millennials and the younger Z generation seem to be the biggest gummy consumers, according to a 2019 report.

In related developments, Capsoil FoodTech introduced a solution to combine doses of lipid- and oil-soluble nutrients into gummies last week.

Immune system benefits
Meanwhile, a recently published clinical study demonstrated that AstaPure Arava could have a beneficial effect on the immune system and global well-being. A key function revealed in the research was a significant reduction in the stress hormone cortisol, coupled with positive changes in the gut microbiome, interacting along the full continuum of what is now called the “Gut-Immune-Brain” Axis.

AstaPure is manufactured in a fully controlled closed cultivation system made up of long tubular structures nestled in the desert region south of Israel and fully exposed to natural sunlight all year round. These conditions result in an extremely pure product that is highly concentrated in actives. AstaPure lines also include oleoresins, beadlets and softgels.

The gummies are both kosher- and halal-certified. “We are continuously looking to diversify our portfolio of products by introducing new formats, applications and formulations for the delivery of AstaPure,” concludes Shemesh.

Edited by Joshua Poole