Weekly Roundup: DSM to increase production capacity of vitamin B2, Sarcolipin found to “trick” muscle cells into burning more fat

14 Sep 2018 --- The weekly roundup is NutritionInsight's collection of global nutrition stories from the past week. Sarcolipin has been found to trick muscle cells into using more energy and burn fat. The AHPA Chief Science Officer presented at the Natural Products Expo East Hemp and CBD Summit, while DSM increased its production capacity of vitamin B2 in Grenzach, Germany. Arla’s CEO visited Bangladesh to show the company’s commitment to supporting good nutrition and the sustainable growth of the local dairy sector.

In brief: Research studies
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) have shown that sarcolipin, a small peptide only found in muscles, increases muscle energy expenditure and fat oxidization. The study was published in the journal Cell Reports. The scientists found sarcolipin forces muscle to use more energy to move calcium by interacting with calcium ion transporter SERCA and making it less efficient. This drives mitochondrial power plants to produce extra energy by burning more fat. “This study shows a direct relationship between sarcolipin and energy metabolism,” says Muthu Periasamy, Ph.D., senior author of the paper and professor at SBP Lake Nona. “This mechanism is intrinsic to muscle and generates heat at the expense of fat burning.”

In brief: Acquisitions, mergers and expansions
Royal DSM is to expand the production capacity of its vitamin B2 facility in Grenzach, Germany, by 15 to 20 percent to further strengthen its leadership position for this important vitamin. The company expects that the new capacity will be available in Q4 2019 after an extended shutdown of approximately 2 months for the necessary technical work.

Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, is an essential constituent of all living cells – which when lacking can lead to symptoms including fatigue and sore throats. It is one of the most widely distributed water-soluble vitamins. As part of its human and animal nutrition & health solutions portfolio, DSM supplies vitamin B2 as application-based formulation or as premix ingredient to the food, feed, pharma and dietary supplements markets.

In brief: Miscellaneous
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Chief Science Officer Holly Johnson, Ph.D., presented at the Natural Products Expo East Hemp and CBD Summit on Sept. 12 in Baltimore, Maryland. The summit was sponsored by AHPA member companies pioneering the hemp space, including CV Sciences and Charlotte’s Web by the Stanley Brothers.

The summit was designed to help participants educate consumers, prepare for regulators, interpret testing data and advocate for the hemp industry and consumer access to hemp products. It included presentations from various groups and companies, and a panel of legal and regulatory experts for a question and answer session. 

Johnson delivered a presentation which focused on challenges to ascertaining quality in hemp derived extracts and products. During the session, Johnson stressed that although regulatory uncertainty persists for now, AHPA encourages manufacturers to act as if they are already regulated under current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) requirements for dietary supplements (21 CFR part 111) by implementing cGMP compliant manufacturing practices, setting appropriate specifications and using scientifically valid test methods. 

Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh has visited Bangladesh to experience first-hand how Arla is seeking to bring affordable nutrition to more consumers while also stepping up its commitment to support the sustainable growth of the local dairy sector.

One of the key strategic markets for Arla to succeed in Southeast Asia is Bangladesh. Arla has had a presence in the country for the last 57 years and the company reports business has never been better thanks to the continuous growth of Arla Dano milk powder. 

Simultaneously, Arla is working hard on a significant corporate responsibility program. One critical area where Arla is taking the lead is helping to address malnutrition in a country in which 56 percent of children are underweight, coupled with a significant proportion of the population living on less than US$1.90. Arla's solution is Dano Daily Pushti milk powder. Launched in 2016, the fortified milk powder, which comes in an affordable pack size, is the first of its kind in Bangladesh. Arla Foods’ retail and foodservice revenue in Bangladesh reached €42 million in 2017 and is expected to increase further in 2018.