Weekly Roundup: Aqua Spark takes 3.3% stake in HBC, Nutrition21’s nooLVL boosts gamers’ performance

05 Nov 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, Aqua Spark, a global investment fund, acquired 12.1 million shares in Hofseth BioCare (HBC). Research published in the Journal of Nutrients found that Nutrition21’s nooLVL provides cognitive performance benefits in experienced gamers. Meanwhile, Abbott launched an initiative to ensure diversity in medical research and improve care offerings for under-represented populations.

In brief: Business news
Netherlands-based Aqua Spark acquired 12.1 million shares in HBC in an off-market transaction with Bonafide at a price per share of NOK 8.10 (US$ 0.94). Aqua Spark’s purchase represents a 3.3% stake in HBC, a processor of marine raw material into health products. “We know Aqua Spark to be a highly competent investor within the aquaculture sector, and it is an investor that shares our sustainability focus,” says Roger Hofseth, CEO of HBC.

Mérieux NutriSciences acquired Israel-based Sher Consulting and Training, strengthening its service offering as a result. Sher Consulting and Training offers quality, compliance and sustainability consulting services to support the food industry in Israel. The company’s services focus on product labeling, regulatory compliance, quality and food safety consulting and risk management. The acquisition strategically strengthens and complements Mérieux NutriSciences’ services in Israel. The company already has Milouda & Migal laboratories and testing services in Acre, Kiryat Shmona and Bar Lev Industrial Park.

Food investor Continental Grain Company (CGC) will lead investment funding in biotechnology company Ingredient Optimized. The funding will be used to expand Ingredient Optimized’s technology, which currently allows products to see up to 24 times more absorption compared to non-optimized sources. “Ingredient Optimized’s scientific and clinically-backed technological solutions will be a natural fit for our expanding portfolio. The tech platform’s potential to disrupt numerous categories – from sports nutrition and food and beverage to clinical nutrition and animal feed – is palpable,” says Brian Loeb, co-head of Conti Ventures at Continental Grain.Garden of Life is now carbon neutral.

In brief: Announcements and certification
Vitamins and supplements provider Garden of Life received carbon neutral certification for its products by Carbonfund Foundation. It is one of the first major brands in the vitamin and supplements industry to reach this milestone. To achieve accreditation as Carbonfree, Garden of Life collaborated with SustainaBase to create a data-driven approach to measuring the carbon footprint of its entire supply chain, from seed to consumer, enabling the company to identify carbon emissions reduction opportunities on an ongoing basis.

Open Book Extracts, a manufacturer and distributor of cannabinoid ingredients and finished products, received a USDA Organic Manufacturer certification for its ingredient production. The certificate can be used in USDA Organic finished products. The certification was awarded by Where Food Comes From following an evaluation process that included a review of its manufacturing records, analysis of the credentials and credibility of its suppliers to ensure organic compliance throughout the supply chain, and confirmation of cleanliness standards. Open Book Extracts has become one of the first US cannabinoid companies to achieve certification for CBD products.

In brief: Launches and releases
Global healthcare provider Abbott launched a new initiative designed to help create a more inclusive clinical trial ecosystem through further training, education and improving the clinical research infrastructure within the US. The company has dedicated US$5 million for 300 new scholarships over the next five years. The scholarships will be available at medical schools at historically Black colleges and universities and minority nursing associations to support future generations of diverse clinical investigators. Abbott also formed a Diversity in Research Medical Advisory Board and dedicated funding to increase diversity enrollment within Abbott trials.

Core Foods, a producer of plant-based nutrition bars, released its Core Fiber Powered Oat Snacks. The Core Fiber Powered Oat Snacks are filled with plant-based ingredients, whole grains and 5 g of prebiotic fiber. The ingredients work together to offer a gluten-free snack that supports gut health. Core Fiber Powered Oat Snacks are shelf-stable and available in three flavors: Vegan Ranch, Sea Salt & Olive Oil and Peanut Butter.Core Fiber Powered Oat Snacks support gut health. 

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched a food allergy and intolerance tool that can also be used to report celiac disease. The FSA with this tool aims to improve the quality of life for people living with food allergies, intolerances and celiac disease by increasing their understanding of reactions and near misses. The proof of concept service will run from November 2021 to February 2022. The data collected will help inform future development, target research and help to produce effective government policy.

In brief: Research and studies
US-based Texas A&M University found that Nutrition21’s nooLVL, a patented complex of bonded arginine silicate with an optimized dose of inositol, significantly increases cognitive performance in gamers after a single dose and within 15 minutes. Study results showed that nooLVL enhanced short-term and working memory, reaction time and concentration. The new data support prior research on nooLVL for improving cognitive benefits for e-sports gamers, who rely on quick reactions, focus, memory and fine motor skills to excel during competition.

A study conducted by researchers from the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, UK, found that nutrition impacts puberty as called MC3R detects the body’s nutritional state, regulates the timing of puberty and growth rate in children and increases lean muscle mass. Researchers found that the MC3R system controls the release of key hormones regulating growth and sexual maturation in response to nutritional signals. People with mutations that reduced the function of MC3R were found to be shorter and have lower amounts of lean tissue, such as muscle, but it did not influence how much fat they carried. These findings may explain how humans have been growing taller and reaching sexual maturity earlier over the past century, say researchers. Over the 20th century, the average height increased by about 10 cm in the UK and 20 cm in other countries.

Researchers from Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine discovered a direct and sex-specific association between the composition of the infant microbiome and early childhood behavioral health. The results also showed that infant and early childhood microbiomes were related to neurobehaviors such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and social behaviors in a time- and sex-specific manner. The researchers hope to clarify in the future whether the findings could help develop probiotics or other types of interventions such as the promotion of breastfeeding.

By Nicole Kerr