Unibar unveils mushroom extract as immunity NPD proliferates

23 Sep 2020 --- With immune health “definitely top of mind this year,” Unibar has launched Maitake Pt78, an immunomodulating mushroom extract. This comes as other companies are also looking to mushrooms for immunity and wellness functionality.

“Over the last few years, demand for medicinal mushrooms has spiked in connection with an upsurge of education and popularity,” Tiea Zehnbauer, vice president of Unibar sales, tells NutritionInsight.

“Delivering a new and potent mushroom extract fits right into this rising trend for medicinal mushrooms, and it’s easy to include as part of a healthy lifestyle via functional food or supplementation.”

Maitake mushrooms are rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids and beta-glucans, which the company describes as a protein bioactive that stimulates immune functions within the cells to improve necessary cytokine modulation.

To do this, the beta-glucans bind to macrophages, either activating or inhibiting the release of key cytokines. The Maitake Pt78 extract’s ability to source the glucan-protein complex creates a “powerful source” of immune-boosting monosaccharides. 

Moreover, Unibar uses a proprietary manufacturing process to ensure its ingredient delivers optimal results at as low a dosage as 15 mg per day. You would need to eat “copious” amounts of raw maitake mushrooms to equate to 15 mg of Maitake Pt78 powder, Zehnbauer details.

Its latest product arrives in chews, gummies, drops, capsules, tablets, effervescents and ready-to-drink formats.

Spore provides a natural solution for people to take control of their wellness through functional mushrooms.

Sporing immunity NPD action
In other fungi moves, Spore Life Sciences, a US wellness company focused on functional mushroom formulations, has officially released its debut collection of innovative supplements geared toward immunity, energy, focus, and sleep. 

Besides maitake, reishi, shiitake, turkey tail and king trumpets mushrooms, the supplement line uses popular natural ingredients such as ashwagandha, chamomile, Ginkgo biloba and turmeric. 

The are now available in five capsule varieties: 

• Mike’s Mushroom Mix
• Chill Out
• Protect + Defend
• Energy Performance
• Focus Performance 

“It took years of living with [persistent muscle pain, stress, anxiety, and cognitive decline] before I discovered the immense healing power of functional mushrooms and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). They were an absolute game-changer for me,” says Michael Zavet, co-founder of Spore. 

“Now I have more energy, more mental clarity and less anxiety than ever before – all without any hangover, come-down or side effects. I was ecstatic to find an all-natural solution that could alleviate some of my challenges living with MS.” 

Across the border, Canada-based Rritual is planning to launch three premium plant-based, vegan mushrooms and adaptogen enhanced elixirs. Beginning fall 2020, the elixirs will be available in 14 stick packs and in 250 g tubs.

Rritual elixirs are made using whole mycelium to provide the beneficial bioactive compounds and metabolites.Rritual elixirs are made using whole mycelium to provide the beneficial bioactive compounds and metabolites, with the addition of herbs and botanicals, to “create balanced elixirs that nourish the body, mind and spirit,” the company states.

“For millennia, people have consumed mushrooms for their therapeutic and healing powers. Rritual brings together those age-old practices with data-backed research to create new formulas for the needs of modern-day consumers,” adds David Kerbel, CEO of Rritual. 

Immunity boosts
While immunity has long been a mainstay of the supplement industry, COVID-19 has created demand like never before. This was particularly visible at Vitafoods Virtual Expo 2020, where delivery formats put a new spin on immunity NPD. 

According to an Innova Market Insights consumer survey conducted in March, there has been a particularly strong uplift in the consumption of products that boost immunity in Asia and South America. 

Over 70 percent of Indian and Indonesian consumers are eating or drinking more products that boost their immune system compared to nearly 40 percent of US consumers. Meanwhile, German and Dutch consumers have seen the lowest shift to health. 

In the past few months, there have been a series of new immunity-targeting ingredient launches. Natural lozenge brand ZAND delivered Immune Fast in January, which is a combination of EpiCor fermented yeast, vitamin C and zinc that provides immune support within two hours.

Herbal supplement producer AlchemLife released Phytorelief-CC, a plant-based gummy tablet that offers clinically-backed symptom support for common colds, flu and other seasonal ailments.

Earlier this month, Dutch health ingredients company NutriLeads closed a Series B financing round to commercialize Xtramune, its carrot-derived fiber ingredient that supports immune function and aids with resistance to respiratory infections.

Unibar activity
Despite the challenges the pandemic has presented to industry, Unibar delivered a number of ingredient launches this year. CapsiClear is Unibar’s patent-pending supplement released in March that offers eye health benefits via oral delivery.

In July, the company released a capsaicin extract called CapZfuel to help active consumers in COVID-19 isolation better convert fat to energy.

Edited by Anni Schleicher