Weekly Roundup: Lactobacillus genera naming rules changed, Amyris’ Purecane to reach Canadian and Brazilian markets

24 Apr 2020 --- This week in nutrition news, the taxonomy used for naming the genus of Lactobacillus probiotics was revised. Amyris is set to distribute its Purecane fermented sugarcane ingredient to the Canadian and Brazilian markets, while Stauber will distribute Clasado Biosciences’ Bimuno probiotic ingredient in North America. Neptune Wellness Solutions launched a plant-based natural health and wellness product line together with Dr. Jane Goodall to support her environment conservation activities. TriNutra also gained self-affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for its black seed oil ThymoQuin.

In brief: Research and study
A new paper has revised the taxonomy used for the genus naming of Lactobacillus probiotics. To keep the probiotic groups accurate and organized, the genus Lactobacillus was therefore split into 25 different genera, with the new names being announced. While the change in name, will be displayed on package labels or in the accompanying product information, it does not imply content alteration. Ahead of these changes, NutritionInsight spoke to companies including Probi and Evonik about what this shift will mean for industry.

In brief: Business news
Amyris has received approval from both Brazilian and Canadian regulators to expand the distribution of its Purecane fermented sugarcane Reb M. Approved by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency, the product underwent an extensive safety review before receiving approval for commercial distribution throughout the Brazilian food industry. This move to Brazil positions Amyris in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for natural sweeteners. The no-calorie and zero-glycemic sweetener can be used as part of a healthy diet to reduce the intake of sugar, calories and carbohydrates.

A portion of Forest Remedies sales are donated to Dr. Goodall's reforestation intiatives.Positioning itself at the forefront of ecological, environmentally friendly and ethical hemp production, Neptune Wellness Solutions co-developed a brand of plant-based natural health and wellness products with renowned wildlife conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall. The new Forest Remedies brand donates 5 percent of all its hand sanitizer products, essential oils and hemp-derived products to support Dr. Goodall’s environmental conservation and reforestation initiatives. Neptune anticipates a mid-2020 launch of the co-developed products, which will be available for purchase on the Forest Remedies website and at select retailers, with plans for additional retail distribution. 

Clasado Biosciences agreed to grant nutrition supplier Stauber non-exclusive rights for the distribution of the former’s prebiotic ingredient called Bimuno in North America. Stauber boasts a significant infrastructure of strategically located distribution centers across North America, which Clasado Biosciences eyes as “one of the fastest-growing geographies for prebiotic supplements.” Supported by over 80 scientific publications, Bimuno uses a proprietary mixture of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) to feed and stimulate the growth of Bifidobacteria in the gut.

BGG World, together with Algae Health Sciences, made two major expansions of its state-of-the-art, 100 percent glass tube photobioreactor microalgae farm to support its growing astaxanthin business. Already underway, the first stage of the expansion includes maximizing the farm’s current footprint with additional glass tubing to increase current capacity by 25 percent in the third quarter of 2020. The second stage extends to BGG’s directly adjacent current farm and is projected to double the farm’s land area, targeted for completion in the first quarter of next year. 

Biosearch Life applied for two patents in two of its key business lines, Extracts and Probiotics. The first of the patents is based on the discovery of the ability of almond polyphenols to improve the bioavailability of olive hydroxytyrosol. Consequently, this increases the efficacy of this powerful cardioprotective compound. It focuses on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and coronary heart disease, for elderly populations. The second is a European patent for compound biomaterials that refers to the use of probiotics that are part of a biocomposite in the therapy of bacterial vaginosis. This patent protects the use of any Lactobacillus in the formation of this biomaterial. The commercialization of this new compound will focus on the European market.

Black cumin seed flowers.NSF International is set to serve as a certifying body providing audits to Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) member suppliers. The GRMA developed a certification program to harmonize multiple standards in three product categories, defining a consistent approach for Good Manufacturing Practices for manufacturers. To streamline data flow, the alliance aims to centralize the resultant data for its members. The agreement is the culmination of conversations that began between the two organizations at the founding of the GRMA in 2014.

In brief: Labels and certifications
TriNutra obtained self-affirmed GRAS status for its standardized, cold-pressed black seed oil ThymoQuin. Having provided the scientific evidence necessary to affirm this important FDA designation, an independent panel declared the oil in question as safe for foods, beverages, and dietary supplement applications. TriNutra affirms it aims to continue developing “lasting relationships with a wider range of customers that are looking for top-notch ingredients like ThymoQuin with which to improve new and existing formulations.”

The US State of Virginia became the first in the nation to pass legislation regulating cannabidiol (CBD) as a food product amid the US Food and Drug Administration’s lacking state-wide action on CBD regulation. The Natural Products Association views this move as an “example of the states filling a vacuum created by the federal government’s inaction,” but commends the State of Virginia for taking the initiative to regulate products in this space. 

By Anni Schleicher