Vitafoods show preview 2008

Beauty and the feast​

Feeding your face is potentially big business, although estimates of market size vary dramatically. But most sources agree that cosmeceuticals are experiencing double-digit growth. Packed with vitamins, Co-enzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, ceramide, collagen and a host of botanicals, 'beauty from within' ingredients are therefore taking centre stage at Vitafoods.

One exhibitor keen to get a slice of the action is Israeli firm Algatechnologies, which will introduce a new line of products containing astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant targeting skin and eye health.

Fenchem, meanwhile, is showcasing a wide range of ingredients including HyaMax (sodium hyaluronate); Nutra-Red (lycopene); LuMarin (lutein from marigolds) and Grapurit (grape seed extract) and Liveflax flax lignan. Hyamax acts as a space filler in the layers between skin cells and helps boost skin elasticity, claims the company. Nutra-Red and LuMarin protect skin from sun damage, while Grapurit increases skin hydration and protects skin from free-radical mediated inflammation.

Other firms hoping to increase their presence in the beauty-from-within market include Rousselot, which will be promoting collagen for smooth and glossy skin, Plantextrakt, which will be plugging green tea and roobois extracts, and LycoRed, which will highlight Lyc-O-Mato, which helps protect skin against damaging UV-induced free radicals. Lyc-O-Mato is also claimed to increase skin density, thickness and smoothness.

Cognis has a range of beautifying ingredients from vitamin E, mixed tocopherols, mixed carotenoids and lutein esters, while Kemin will be promoting FloraGLO lutein, a purified lutein associated with healthy eyes and skin. Sabinsa is also presenting a wide range of phytonutrients with beauty-from-within applications.

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.

The Big issue​

Whether they boost satiety, speed up metabolism, inhibit protein breakdown or block fat absorption, weight management ingredients are potentially big business (excuse the pun), and a host of Vitafoods exhibitors are keen to cash in.

Lipid Nutrition will be showcasing Clarinol CLA and PinnoThin. Clarinol, made from safflower oil containing CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), is claimed to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass, while PinnoThin, from Korean pine nut oil, stimulates hunger-suppressing hormones CCK (cholecystokinin) and GLP1 (glucagon-like peptide).

Cognis will be highlighting the benefits of its Tonalin CLA, which it claims can help reduce body fat and maintain lean muscle body mass.

Other companies offering hope for the hefty include Berkem, which will be promoting Svetol, its water soluble decaffeinated green coffee bean extract; Rousselot, which will be promoting hydrolysed collagen for weight management, Glanbia Nutritionals, which will be showcasing Prolibra (a milk mineral complex claimed to boost lean muscle mass and reduce fat), and Bio Serae, which will be presenting an arsenal of weapons of mass reduction, including Cacti-Nea, a prickly pear extract, and NeOpuntia, a lipophilic fibre from cactus leaves.

gut health

Gut health products can deliver tangible results fast, which gives them a certain advantage over other functional ingredients where sceptical consumers are concerned. However, manufacturers can also tap into other markets including weight management, immune response and general health and wellbeing.

One firm hoping to cash in is Lonza, which will be presenting FiberAid, a soluble prebiotic fibre that is highly soluble in hot and cold water, stable against a wide pH and temperature range and forms low viscosity solutions, claims the company.

Tate & Lyle is also entering the fray with its new Promitor soluble corn glucofibres and resistant starches. The corn glucofibres have excellent process and acidic stability and also dissolve clearly in a solution, opening up new opportunities in beverage applications.

Equally keen to corner this market is Syral Partners with Actilight, a soluble dietary fibre derived from sugar beet with prebiotic properties and excellent digestive tolerance that can be used in foods and supplements.

Danisco, meanwhile is showcasing Fibrex, a concentrated dietary fibre from sugar beet with an optimal ratio of soluble and insoluble fibres, while Dow Wolff Cellulosics is hoping to woo visitors with Fortefiber. Made from purified wood pulp modified to become water soluble, it has been proven to reduce glycaemic response.

Finally, Taiyo Europe will be highlighting Sunfiber, a tasteless, odourless and water soluble dietary fibre designed to deliver high fibre content and excellent stability with respect to pH, heat and freeze/thaw conditions.

Moving on up​

P roducts to keep joints and bones healthy for longer will take centre stage at Vitafoods. One company hoping to entice visitors in the joint health arena is Gelita, a leading manufacturer of gelatine and collagen peptides, which will be promoting Fortigel:a pure form of a bioactive collagen peptide claimed to combat wear and tear of the joints brought about by age and stress.

Suitable for manufacturers of foods, drinks or supplements, Fortigel may be particularly beneficial for consumers with ailing knees, says the firm.

Results from a recent study from Penn State University suggests that "the knee in particular benefited from the administration of collagen hydrolysate", says Gelita. "The [knee] pain experienced in walking and at rest was significantly reduced compared to the placebo group." Fortigel works by stimulating cartilage metabolism and enhancing the synthesis of cartilage cells, it claims.

Bio Serae is also targeting joint health with Osteol, a complex of bioactive milk proteins claimed to help lower inflammation and tackle cartilage degeneration. It can also be added to formulas containing chondroitin and glucosamine, where it can have a synergistic effect, says Bio Serae.

Bio Iberica will be promoting several ingredients and dietary supplements targeting joint care, with ingredients ranging from chondroitin sulfate to glucosamine, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolysed and native collagen.

Waitaki Biosciences, meanwhile, will be showcasing a range of products for bone and joint health, including Coll2: a combination of type II collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) claimed to assist in the restoration of connective tissues in inflammatory or degenerative disease such as osteoarthritis.

Aker BioMarine will also be catering for the joint care market with krill oil, which contains a potent mix of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, phospholipids and astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, while Gee Lawson wil be offering glucosamine and chondroitin.

S Black, meanwhile, will be concentrating on bone health with bioavailable, instantly soluble forms of calcium gluconate and calcium lactate.

Rousselot, finally, is hoping to impress punters with a 'healthy bone smoothie' containing hydrolysed collagens.

Several studies show the beneficial effect of a 10g/day supplementation on bone metabolism and joint health, claims the firm. "Our hydrolysed collagens have been designed for superior wetability, fast dispersion and instant solubility, even in cold water. Sensory panels ensure their taste and odour neutrality."