Weekly Roundup: Omya launches oil-to-powder tablet prototype at CPhI, BI Nutraceuticals’ hemp ingredients Identilok approved

08 Nov 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, Omya showcased a new chewable tablet prototype featuring simethicone as an active ingredient (API) at CPhI in Frankfurt, Germany. BI Nutraceuticals announced that its hemp ingredients are now Identilock-tested and approved. In the same week, a new study found that flavonoid-rich mixed berries may improve cognitive function. Also, The Lubrizol Corporation renamed its contract development and manufacturing organization to be Lubrizol Life Science Health.

In brief: Launches and releases
Producer of industrial minerals Omya has debuted a new chewable tablet prototype with simethicone as an active ingredient (API) at CPhI, which took place this week. Simethicone is a highly viscous anti-foaming agent, traditionally used to reduce bloating, discomfort or pain caused by excess gas in the stomach and intestines. The prototype is formulated with the multifunctional carrier Omyapharm 500-OG, which helps convert liquids into compressible powders, thus facilitating tablet production. The move from Omya comes as consumers are expressing a need for more innovative applications that can be easily consumed. Simethicone is loaded onto Omyapharm 500-OG using a high-shear mixer and a pump, readily transforming the liquid API into a compressible and easy-to-handle powder. The simethicone-loaded powder is then blended with the rest of the ingredients and compressed into a convenient chewable tablet. The final formulation contains 68mg of simethicone in a 680mg chewable tablet.

In brief: Awards and certifications
Supplier of plant-based ingredients BI Nutraceuticals (BI) announced that its hemp ingredients are Identilok tested and approved. Recently introduced at the 2019 SupplySide West Expo in Las Vegas, US, BI’s new hemp ingredients follow suit with its offering of more than 200 ingredients. These have been tested for safety and quality using the company’s Identilok species identification process. All of BI’s ingredients, including its new hemp product line, guarantee high levels of product purity, authenticity and cleanliness using Identilok testing. The testing includes DNA, high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), Microscopic Image Analysis, Organoleptic Testing and Macroscopic Taxonomy. BI is unique in being able to offer hemp ingredients that are Identilok tested and approved.

Study says flavonoid-rich mixed berries maintain and improve cognitive function over a six-hour period in young healthy adults.In brief: Research and study
According to a new study, flavonoid-rich mixed berries maintain and improve cognitive function over a six-hour period in young healthy adults. The research was carried out by the School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, UK and was published in Nutrients. The researchers investigated the temporal profile of EF and mood changes over a six-hour period following a mixed-berry intervention. They employed a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, between-subjects design. Forty participants aged between 20-30 years-old consumed a 400 ml smoothie containing equal amounts of blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry (n = 20) or matched placebo (n = 20). Mood was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; EF was tested using the Modified Attention Network (MANT) and Task Switching (TST) Tasks. Testing commenced at baseline then two, four and six hours post-dosing. Following placebo intervention, performance decreased across the day as participants became cognitively fatigued. However, following berry intervention, participants maintained accuracy on both cognitive tasks up to and including six hours and demonstrated quicker response times on the MANT at two and four hours, and TST at six hours. 

In brief: Business news
The Lubrizol Corporation has announced that its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Particle Sciences, is to be renamed Lubrizol Life Science Health (LLS Health). The name change reflects the CDMO’s incorporation into the new Lubrizol Life Science business group, which brings together Lubrizol’s Personal, Home and Health Care business units, as part of a previous reorganization. This announcement follows Lubrizol’s acquisition of Bavaria Medizin Technologie GmbH, a German contract development and manufacturing organization of intravascular and nonvascular devices. Moreover, LLS Health announced its newly expanded commercial-scale capabilities for drug product manufacturing with the opening of its new 5,000-square feet commercial manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, US, as part of a US$60 million investment. “As part of Lubrizol Life Science, we can share and draw upon the resources that come with being part of a large corporation to provide customers with greater support and market insights that help them meet their goals,” says Barbara Morgan, Global Business Director, Pharmaceutical Solutions, LLS Health.

In light of Nutrition Day, which happened yesterday (November 7), the Jules Bordet Institute, the Belgian reference center in the fight against cancer, took the chance to participate in the global campaign. The health body stresses the essential link between healthy eating combined with regular physical exercise and treatment against cancer. The European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), supported by the Belgian Society of Clinical Nutrition and SPF Santé, the Federal Public Health Service initiated an international audit. Carried out in 64 countries worldwide, the audit seeks to assess the nutrition of hospitalized patients. The aim is to improve nutrition for this population and to increase nutrition awareness among patients, family and care staff.

By Kristiana Lalou