Weekly Roundup: Givaudan to acquire Alderys, ESI Nutrition increases production capacity

29 May 2020 --- In nutrition news this week, Givaudan is set to acquire French biotechnology company Alderys, while ESI Nutrition expanded its Ploudaniel’s facility in France, boosting production capacity. The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) discontinue certain claims for two of its supplements. Meanwhile, Biomega partnered with W8 Solution to include its salmon peptides as an ingredient in a weight loss formulation.

In brief: Business News
As part of its long term strategy to expand its capabilities in bio-engineering technologies, Givaudan is set to acquire Alderys. Founded in 2009, Alderys is a biotechnology company headquartered in Orsay, France. Alderys develops innovative approaches to the biological engineering of valuable compounds from renewable feedstock. The projects developed by Alderys are aimed at the chemical and cosmetic industry sectors as well as the nutrition market. They offer innovative technological industrial solutions with high sustainability standards. “The expertise of Alderys in biotechnology is fully complementary to our Fragrance and Active Beauty businesses. It will allow us to expand our portfolio of natural and biosourced products. It will also reinforce Givaudan’s capabilities to support our customers in developing sustainable, performant and safe products,” says Maurizio Volpi, President of Givaudan’s Fragrance Division.

The nutrition division of dairy cooperative Laïta, ESI Nutrition, has announced that, after two years of planning, construction and initial set up, its new production line located in Ploudaniel, France, facility is now fully operational and ran its first commercial production on April 28. The decision to invest in this new line dedicated to complex nutritional products was made in response to the demanding quality standards set for infant and clinical nutrition products, which are the primary markets targeted by these new offerings. The newly installed equipment consists of a sterilization module followed by aseptic filling and is complete with a secondary packaging unit. Beyond enhancing its production capacity and providing state-of-the-art quality control, with this investment, ESI Nutrition expands the range of formats with the release of two new bottle sizes: 70 ml and 90 ml.

The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) discontinue the express claims that its Benefiber Original and Benefiber Healthy Shape fiber supplements are “100% natural,” and that Benefiber Healthy Shape is “clinically proven to curb cravings,” and “helps you feel full longer.” These claims, which appeared on Benefiber product packaging and website advertising, were challenged by The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), maker of the competing dietary supplement and laxative product, Metamucil. GSK said that it will appeal the adverse findings to the National Advertising Review Board. 

Bioiberica Companion Animal Health has announced its entry into Taiwan, specifically in the companion animal health market. This is with the help of Vetnostrum, the company’s new distributor in the country. This month the company has launched three products on the market: Condrovet Force HA to protect the joints of dogs and cats; Calmurofel, a complementary food for the maintenance of the urinary bladder of cats; and Impromune, a dietary supplement recommended to reinforce the immune systems of dogs and cats with immunosuppression problems. The entry into Taiwan represents one further milestone in the company’s international expansion plan for 2020.

Research led by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), in Italy, has led to a method that can preserve the properties of polyphenols and flavonoids for use in oncological treatments.In brief: Launches and releases
Biomega Group has partnered with W8 Solution to include its salmon peptides as an ingredient in an innovative weight loss product. The use of Biomega peptides in W8 Solution products aims to combat this challenge and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. “Processed from fresh Norwegian salmon by our natural enzymatic hydrolysis, Biomega peptides contain more than 90 percent hydrolysed proteins and over 20 precent collagen peptides (type I and III), which are proven to have a positive effect on skin health. In addition, our bioactive salmon peptides have anti-inflammatory properties, help maintain stable blood glucose levels and support weight management, making the ingredient beneficial for W8 Solution users,” notes Marianne Warnaer, Director of Global Sales, at Biomega.

AB Enzymes has launched ROHAPECT MC, the latest addition to its ROHAPECT fruit processing enzymes portfolio. The pectinase enzyme is particularly suitable for berry processing and it is universally suitable for the mash and juice treatment of various fruits. The ingredient ensures quick and reliable pectin degradation, leading to fast viscosity reduction and high juice and anthocyanin extraction, as well as fast clarification and good juice ultrafiltration. The result is a smooth process that yields juices and juice concentrates of a high nutritional value. “There are so many different berry types with very special compositions and the season is short. Challenges are often seen in de-juicing as well as filtration and clarification operations,” stresses Andrzej Dadas, Key Account Manager (EMEA) at AB Enzymes.

Enerup beverage company has launched a new line of energy drinks, with added ginseng and green coffee bean extract. Enerup Energy Drink Preparation with ginseng flavor has the advantages of a slight sweet, aftertaste. Additionally, as a mild formulation with no side effects, the drink solves the research and development problems in the market, the company says.

Supplements brand Optimega has made omega 3s available in the form of fruit-flavored, drinkable shots. Optimega has specific shots formulated for specific needs like Omega Shots Daily Support, a version for post-workout recovery called Omega Shots Sport, and even Omega Shots 50+ and Omega Shots Prenatal.

Capital Brands Distribution says it is taking easy nutrition to the “next level” with the launch of its NutriBullet Superfood Essentials and NutriBullet Superboosts – a new line of exclusively blended, plant-powered supplements. The NutriBullet Superboosts offers four separate options, which are: Citrus Berry Immunity, Matcha Energy, Original Detox and Spiced Cocoa Fat Burn.

In brief: Patents and authorizations
Gencor Pacific has received a US patent for its standardized fenugreek extract, Testofen. The US patent has been granted for the improvement of sexual function, decline of sexual hormones and improvement in sexual hormonal levels in healthy aging males. Testofen contains bioactive compounds that have been carefully selected and standardized to a 50 percent minimum content of Fenuside. The clinically studied ingredient has shown to be suitable for healthy aging formulations. “We have made a significant investment into the clinical validation of Testofen, and receiving this patent further progresses our commitment and intellectual property supporting this superior fenugreek extract,” says Chase Shryoc, Vice President of Sales. 

In brief: Research and study
Oral intake of Hydrangea serrata leaf (WHS) extract may improve wrinkles, hydration, elasticity, texture and roughness in human skin, according to a study from Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea. The researchers previously reported that the hot water extract of WHS and its active component, hydrangenol, possess in vitro and in vivo effects on skin wrinkles and moisturization. The team now conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which saw 151 participants be randomly assigned to receive either WHS 300 mg, WHS 600 mg, or placebo, once daily for 12 weeks. Skin wrinkle, hydration, elasticity, texture, and roughness parameters were assessed at baseline and after four, eight, and 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo, skin wrinkles were significantly reduced in both WHS groups after eight and 12 weeks.

Research led by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), in Italy, has led to a method that can preserve the properties of polyphenols and flavonoids for use in oncological treatments. These results are a big step forward in the use of these more natural components in cancer treatments, say the researchers. The scientists found that the best method for sterilizing the biological compounds was steam sterilization, because it left 90 percent of their properties intact. The next step was to make capsules of the compounds with the same biodegradable polymer. Capsules are increasingly being used to store and administer substances and medicines because they protect them from environmental factors that can alter them, such as light, humidity or oxygen, and because they release their content in a more controlled manner. The results open up the possibility of using more natural cancer treatments, both in terms of the material used for the capsules and the medicines themselves, the researchers note.

By Kristiana Lalou