Hearts & minds

The big launch at this year's show is DSM Food Specialties' Tensguard, a new non-fat hydrolysate containing bioactive peptides targeting the growing market for blood-pressure management.

The product of advanced enzyme technology, TensGuard contains lactotripeptides. While these are present in normal dairy products, they are inactive within the original milk protein, says DSM. To become effective, the peptides first need to be released through enzymatic predigestion.

Also on show is InsuVital, a hydrolysed casein from DSM designed to kick start insulin production.

But healthy lipids suppliers are also out in force at the show. First up is Glanbia Nutritionals, which will be showcasing its MeadowPure range of omega-3 ingredients. Next up is Croda Healthcare, which will be promoting refined echium oil.

This contains stearidonic acid (SDA), which is converted far more readily into the more beneficial EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) by the body than alpha linolenic acid, the omega-3 found in plants like flax.

Croda will also be promoting Incromega Trio, which contains concentrated amounts of EPA, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and the less well-known omega-3 fatty acid DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) in a bid to cash in on its unique properties. Croda says: "DPA is proven to stimulate endothelial cell migration with an effect up to 10 times greater than EPA."

The lipids are selectively enhanced using PureMax - a purification technology used to produce high-purity omega-3 concentrates free from heavy metals, environmental pollutants and oxidative impurities.

Also looking to cash in on the growing demand for long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are Epax, which supplies ultra-pure EPA/DHA for the supplements industry, Cognis, which will be promoting its new Omevital high purity omega-3 fish oils; Lonza, which will be promoting its vegetarian and allergen-free source of omega-3 DHA from microalgae and Martek Biosciences, which will be highlighting the superior sensory properties of life'sDHA, its vegetarian algal omega-3 with particular appeal to the infant nutrition market..

Bioriginal will be presenting its Multi EFA Plus 'X' range - which combines fatty acids from fish and plants with other ingredients such as lutein and CoQ10 - plus new flavoured chewable soft gels.

Lipid Nutrition will be plugging its Marinol fish oil, which has a clean taste and smell and high stability; Kievit will be promoting its broad range of encapsulated oils and fats, and Ocean Nutrition Canada will be promoting its MEG-3 brand of omega-3 EPA/DHA ingredients.

Other exhibitors looking to the ocean for inspiration are Neptune Technologies and Aker Biomarine, which are promoting oil from krill, which could be a powerful weapon in the fight against cardiovascular disease and chronic inflammation.

Meanwhile, the big guns in cocoa research - Natraceutical Group and Mars Botanical - will be highlighting the beneficial effects of cocoa polyphenols on endothelial function, cholesterol, blood pressure, the immune system, cognitive function and mood.

There is also a host of companies that are selling ingredients to help punters relax. These include Taiyo Europe, which is promoting Suntheanine: a pure form of the amino acid L-theanine from green tea, which is claimed to reduce stress, improve sleep quality and boost concentration.

Finally, Gelkaps, which contract manufactures gelatin capsules for the pharmaceutical, supplement and cosmeceutical markets, will be promoting its chewable soft capsules, which are suitable for manufacturers of fish and vegetable oils, fat soluble vitamins, antioxidants, beta-carotene, CoQ10 and phospholipids.