Weekly Roundup: PerkinElmer launches hemp pesticide test, Akay’s fenugreek extract may alleviate menopausal discomforts

09 Oct 2020 --- Two new plant-based protein powders made their debut this week. PerkinElmer released an automated solution for testing pesticide residue in cannabis and hemp. Also, a clinical trial found that Fenusmart fenugreek extract may relieve women of perimenopausal discomforts at a “relatively low dosage,” according to Akay Natural Ingredients.

In brief: Launches and releases
PerkinElmer launched a fully-automated liquid handling sample preparation and QSight 420 LC/MS/MS analysis workflow for pesticide residue testing of cannabis and hemp flower samples. The streamlined solution features quality control reagent kits, robotic sample preparation, mass spectrometry analysis and data reporting software to “transform analysis efficiency.” The new workflow aids in-house and contract labs in increasing pesticide analysis throughput with improved data quality, decreasing laboratory waste and reducing the likelihood of operator error.

Liquid IV is expanding its family of hydration electrolyte drink mixes with Hydration Multiplier+ Immune Support. Containing vitamin C and D, zinc and Wellmune, the non-GMO drink mix will be available across the US at retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Costco and the company’s website. The portable sticks are designed for on-the-go consumption and are “great” for muscle recovery, vitality and overall wellness management, says the company. 

Immune Support boasts a multivitamin blend designed to maintain the immune system.G Fuel developed a new energy formula flavor called Wumpa Fruit to boost energy and focus during gaming. The launch is sugar-free and rich with antioxidants from 18 different fruit extracts, including mango and apple. Each serving has 15 calories and contains 140 mg of caffeine. The new flavor is inspired by Activision’s new game Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.

In brief: Plant-based protein
Tradin Organic released three organic plant-based protein concentrates made from pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and hemp seeds, as the company sees the market for plant-based nutrition booming. “The availability of the plant-based proteins will only grow, and in turn, the costs will only diminish,” the company predicts. Tradin Organic further affirms that its protein powders tout high protein levels, low oil content and a clean label.

G Fuel Wumpa Fruit will be available for sale online in the US in 16 oz cans in November. Kaged Muscle debuted a new ioPea-powered product Plantein. The launch is a vegan protein that can match the bioavailability of whey protein. Featuring 25 g of ioPea Protein, Plantein has zero sugar and launches in cinnamon roll and banana bread flavors, with more flavors in the pipeline. “[Before Plantein], I haven’t found a plant-based protein supplement that tasted good or with a creamy texture and that provided enough branched-chain amino acids, specifically leucine, for muscle building benefits comparable to whey,” says Kris Gethin, CEO and founder of Kaged Muscle. 

In brief: Research and studies
Fenugreek extract Fenusmart developed by Akay may influence peri- and postmenopausal discomforts. In the first study, supplementation at 250 mg twice daily for six weeks improved vasomotor symptoms and depression with a healthy hormonal balance without any adverse effects in perimenopausal women. Compared to the control group, participants in the Fenusmart group reported improvements in hot flashes (26 percent), night sweats (26.5 percent) and insomnia (22 percent). In the second study, postmenopusal subjects reported reduced leg pain and inflammation, which is what Akay calls a “very important group of discomforts among menopausal women.” The fact that no adverse effects or abnormal variations in safety parameters were noted in both post and peri-menopausal subjects shows “the primary safety of the extract as well,” the company highlights.

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) helped energize tumor-infiltrating T-cells in samples extracted from mice in a preclinical mouse model published in Nature Immunology. NR was shown to improve T-cell function, which is a component of new cancer immunotherapies such as PD-1 and PDL-1 inhibitors. These findings lend further data to the potential role of NR in supporting healthy mitochondrial function. ChromaDex, the exclusive licensee of the patented NR, has invested over US$35 million in investigating, manufacturing and offering NR in the form of Niagen.

“The newfound interest in plant-based foods creates plenty of opportunities in the plant-based market,” says Tradin Organic.A clinical study on Sabinsa’s patented hair serum formulation was found to significantly improve hair fall and thinning. For 90 days, 42 healthy men and women supplemented with a serum containing Saberry amla extract, Cococin freeze-dried coconut water and PeptiSeLect selenium. After the end of the trial, participants who continued supplementation experienced a 57 percent reduction in hair breakage and 81 percent reduction in hair fall. Moreover, all subjects reported an overall improvement in hair texture and hair volume with reduced hair fall. Scalp conditions noted during the baseline visits, including itching, dryness and dandruff, were resolved after applying the product. 

In brief: Appointments and approvals
Natural Remedies adopted andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) through the American Botanical Council’s Adopt-an-Herb botanical research and education program. Natural Remedies’ adoption means that ABC’s HerbMedPro database will stay updated researchers, health professionals, industry members, students, consumers and other members of the herbal and dietary supplement and natural medicine communities. Andrographis is a well known medicinal plant in the Ayurvedic system for immunity and inflammation.

Synergia Life Sciences was granted European patent No. EP2178818 by the European Patent Office. The patent covers natural vitamin K2 menaquinone-7 (MK-7), MenaquinGold in improving blood perfusion, ameliorating hypoxia in venous insufficiency and relieving symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Dr. Tom Bayne, president at Microbiome Labs, expects the patent to have a “positive impact” in expanding MenaquinGold’s therapeutic application. 

By Anni Schleicher