Industry proposes vast health benefits of sustainable and plant-based omega-3s

19 Oct 2023 --- Omega-3s are being touted for their benefits, not only for heart health but also for cognition and immunity support. At the same time, innovations in sourcing, processing and scientific findings are driving the market.

Innova Market Insights data suggests an increase in omega-3 ingredient use in supplement launches, including women’s and children’s health and sports supplements. Additionally, vegan and plant-based omega-3 supplement claims are also on the rise.

To understand the latest trends and innovations shaking up the omega-3 supplement space, Nutrition Insight speaks with experts from Aker BioMarine, De Wit Speciality Oils, dsm-firmenich, Gencor and Univar Solutions.

Silvi Siddhu, the global director of nutraceuticals at Univar Solutions, says the company constantly seeks to innovate across all categories.

“We carry a water-soluble algal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that allows for application versatility,” she says. “We have also been busy formulating a nootropic beverage with algal DHA in one of our solutions centers.”Merce Piñol del Olmo, SVP sales EMEA, Aker BioMarine.

Merce Piñol del Olmo, the SVP of sales in EMEA at Aker BioMarine, notes that DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) have vital functions, including controlling inflammation and aiding various cells and organs, such as the brain.

“Brain health is a major research area, as of today, there is no commercially available (lysophosphatidylcholine) LPC ingredient in the market, which has opened a huge lane for us at Aker BioMarine,” Del Olmo explains. “For the last seven years, we have dedicated extensive research and development around LPC from krill oil with the aim to refine the way we approach brain health nutrition.”

Health benefits
Aker BioMarine highlights the many health benefits of omega-3s, noting that effective transport of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to body systems and organs is crucial and carries significant health and disease-related implications.

For instance, the brain lacks efficient synthesis capabilities for DHA and EPA, meaning they must be consumed or supplemented in a bioavailable form to cross through the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

“The MFSD2A transporter is the major transporter for DHA and EPA uptake into the brain and only recognizes esterified DHA and EPA in the form of LPC,” Del Olmo explains. “LPC transport is critical for providing LPC as building blocks for the formation of neurons and regulation of membrane phospholipid composition, and for providing choline important for the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.”

“MFSD2A is also present in other vital organs such as the eye and liver. To that end, we recently launched Lysoveta, a targeted delivery of LPC bound with EPA and DHA.”

Focus on sustainability
Consumer and customer demand for sustainability has brought about many innovations in the omega-3 space.

“As a company on a mission to improve both human and planetary health, we have recognized that the health of the planet is as important as the health of an individual,” says Del Olmo. “Ensuring the well-being of the krill biomass and contributing toward a thriving Antarctic ecosystem are among our core priorities.”De Wit Speciality Oils touts its high-quality, plant-based oils and omega-3s.

Aker BioMarine underscores that it is the only krill oil supplier that owns and controls its entire harvesting and production process.

“Superba Krill oil is sourced from the pristine waters in the Southern Ocean and every batch is 100% traceable all the way back to its origins in Antarctica,” says del Olmo. “Our unique processing method — Flexitech technology — allows us to produce the purest and best krill oil on the market.”

“Our sustainability efforts are reinforced by third party certifications. We were the first MSC-certified krill supplier adhering to the most stringent sustainability standards, then and now. We are also the first and only certified supplier for the IKOS certification.”

Chris Kalodis, the North American marketing manager for dietary supplements at dsm-firmenich points out that the earth’s rapidly expanding population, coupled with climate change and environmental changes, is exerting substantial pressure on natural marine fisheries.

“Over the past year, the effects of El Niño have led to major anchovy fisheries being canceled, with additional and significant shortages expected next year, all of which are contributing to the rapid and sustained spike in crude fish oil prices — now at almost five times recent historic levels,” he reveals.

Finding plant-based alternatives
Moreover, dsm-firmenich says that innovation in plant-based alternatives is also important. According to Kalodis, for brands aiming to innovate sustainably and secure a stable supply and pricing, alternative plant-based sources of EPA and DHA are a primary focus.Dsm-firmenich highlights the sustainability and bioavailability of its algal-based omega-3 solution, Life’sOmega.

“Due to dsm-firmenichs’ significant investments in algal omega-3, our enhanced Life’sOmega portfolio is sourced with scalability in mind, fulfilling nutritional needs while positively impacting the global environment,” he emphasizes. “Fish get their omega-3 from algae, consumed directly or through the food chain and by cultivating natural algae directly, we can avoid any impact on the marine ecosystem.”

“Other algae products are often grown in ponds located on arid land, exposing the algae to potential contaminants in the open air, water and ground. Life’sOmega is manufactured using proprietary precision fermentation of a natural, non-GMO algae, with multiple production locations ensuring a reliable supply.”

Univar Solutions states that it also focuses on sustainability and quality in its plant-based omega-3 offerings. 

“Univar Solutions has a very thorough supplier onboarding process to ensure ingredients are high quality and safe to consume,” says Silvi Siddhu, the company’s global director of nutraceuticals. “In addition, we have developed a sustainable and natural product framework to help our customers evaluate sustainability for ingredients and raw materials.”

Vegan solutions
Siddhu also highlights Univar Solutions’ plant-based omega-3 offerings.

“Univar Solutions portfolio contains algal DHA, sourced from Schizochytrium microalgae, a sustainable source of DHA,” Siddhu adds. “Algal DHA is an alternative to traditional fish oil sources of omega-3 DHA and can help vegetarian and vegan consumers meet their nutritional requirements.”Gencor’s partnership with Pharmako Biotechnologies and its AquaCelle technology makes bioavailable marine-based omega-3s without the fishy taste.

At the same time, De Wit Speciality Oils spotlights its many ingredients, such as chia oil, which it says serves as an excellent choice for omega-3 dietary supplements. 

“Our NEWmega Echium Oil is one of the richest sources of stearidonic acid, the omega-3 series equivalent for omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and a perfect ingredient for food products as well as nutraceuticals,” says Peter Wiersma, commercial manager at De Wit Speciality Oils. 

“And then, of course, our Algae Oil is another great vegan, vegetarian and sustainable option to include omega-3 Essential fatty acids often difficult to find in vegan and vegetarian diets.”

Creating high-quality ingredients
De Wit Speciality Oils highlights that its quality management system holds an ISO 9001:2015 certification. As a supplier and producer of plant-based oils, the company says it places a significant emphasis on the responsible treatment of materials.

Univar Solutions says its water-soluble algal DHA allows for application versatility.

“Each step in the production process is closely monitored to ensure that a consistently high-quality oil is produced,” says Joyce Oosterhof, the company’s quality manager. “We ensure the high quality of our products at all times through our consistent batch-related monitoring program. Product specifications are available for all oils and a detailed certificate of analysis is included for each ordered batch.”

Of significant concern for marine-sourced omega-3s is the fishy taste and “fishy burps” according to Maggie McNamara, the marketing director at Gencor. Yet, she reveals that the nutraceutical and functional ingredient player has solved the problem.

“Together with our partner, Pharmako Biotechnologies, we have a solution to help minimize that negative side effect using its AquaCelle technology.”

“AquaCelle is a lipid-based formulation that self-assembles into a micellar colloidal delivery system in aqueous environments (such as the stomach) at body temperature,” McNamara explains. “These micelles envelop fat-soluble ingredients, helping their benefits to be absorbed more fully into the body and offering a more efficacious finished product for the consumer.”

According to Gencor, its partnership with Pharmako Biotechnologies and AquaCelle offers opportunities to “supercharge” the bioavailability and absorption of omega-3s.

“AquaCelle is a patent-pending, clinically validated self-micro-emulsifying drug delivery system specifically designed to increase the bioavailability of lipophilic actives,” she underscores. “The formulations deliver up to 85% concentrated omega-3 active load with a modest 15% AquaCelle excipient — this industry-leading ratio allows for smaller and fewer doses and offers ease of incorporation into multi-active formulations.”

“Another highly effective delivery technology that Pharmako has developed is PlexoZome, which is a scientifically proven complex liposomal technology. These genuine liposomes are verified through TEM and Cryo-TEM imaging, Zeta potential and DLS testing. PlexoZome formulations are made on-site in a licensed facility — as such, they are fully customizable, stable liposomal ingredients, optimizing the omega-3 efficacy,” McNamara concludes.

By William Bradford Nichols