NEW INGREDIENT REVIEW: Microblooms in the Desert
AstaPure astaxanthin oleoresin Astaxanthin is a dark red member of the carotenoid family, found naturally in algae and certain sea creatures, such as salmon, trout, shrimp and lobster. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and has been found to help protect against cell lipid-membrane and DNA damage and UV light effects. It also plays an important role in immunological defense. Unlike most other antioxidants, astaxanthin is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. This allows astaxanthin to extend its activity to the central nervous system, which, being rich in unsaturated fatty acids is highly susceptible to oxidative damage by reactive oxygen.
Promising studies suggest astaxanthin helps against: age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, hypercholesterolemia, inflammatory diseases, dyspepsia, male fertility, muscle function, UV-light damage (when used both as a topical and internal agent), cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, stress management, benign prostatic hyperplasia, stroke and chronic viral and autoimmune diseases.
AstaPure is a natural complex extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis algal biomass via supercritical-CO2 extraction. The process of making natural astaxanthin in an enclosed system effectively reduces the risk of exogenous contamination typically associated with the common open-pond method, and so is capable of yielding a finished product with relatively much lower microbiological counts.
It's ideally suited for nutraceutical and food formulations and is available as a dry biomass containing 3.5-4.0 percent astaxanthin; a 10 percent-astaxanthin standardized oleoresin; 2.5 percent astaxanthin beadlets; 2 percent astaxanthin cold water-dispersible beadlets; and 2 percent astaxanthin vegetarian beadlets. It's also kosher-certified and heavy metal-free.
Algatechnologies Ltd.; Eilat, Israel
011-972-8-635-6425; www.algatech.com
- Dalip Nayyar, Ph.D., is Principal Scientist for Kraft Foods Global Inc.
INGREDIENT PROFILES
It's a Tomato, It's a Raisin, It's a…
Lycored Ltd. launches Lyc-O-Mato Self-Dried Cherry Tomatoes. These unique tomatoes were bred and commercialized for Lycored by Tomaisins International Ltd. and developed especially for food fortification. Whereas ordinary cherry tomatoes contain a fraction of a milligram of lycopene, each Lyc-O-Mato self-dried cherry tomato provides more than 1mg of lycopene, the powerful antioxidant associated with numerous health benefits. Only five of these self-dried cherry tomatoes are needed to provide the 5mg serving of lycopene recommended for the fortification of conventional foods. The little cherry tomatoes are perfect for fortifying rice mixes, cereals, savory snacks and pastas and as the lycopene ingredient in nutrition bars.
Lycored Ltd.; Orange, N.J.
877-592-6733; www.lycored.com
Chocolate Protector
Vitiva of Slovenia presents a natural solution for keeping chocolate and chocolate products fresh. Inolens 12 is an all-natural, allergen-free ingredient offered as a beneficial processing aid to protect chocolate and other confectionery products, such as praline or toffee sauces, with no change in taste or aroma. It's a natural alternative for the synthetic antioxidants commonly used as processing aids in chocolates and confectionery products. Inolens 12 has been successfully extended product shelf life by 30 percent in some cases, without influencing organoleptic characteristics of the product. The ready-to-use formulation, is easily blended with complementary ingredients in the product, such as cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk and various fats. Confectionery products with nut pieces are also highly prone to oxidation and Inolens 12 protects these ingredients equally well.
Vitiva SI; Markovci, Slovenia
386-2-7888-733; www.vitiva.si
Here Comes the Sun
Savoury Systems International Inc. has developed a complete line of hydrolyzed vegetable proteins (HVP), including its new sunflower-based HVP with a well-rounded flavor for lighter fares, Sunflower HVP0299. It's superb for chicken-base flavor, without the "processed" taste associated with other HVPs. Blended variations can be developed per specific request.
Savoury Systems International Inc.; Branchburg, N.J.
908-534-6621; www.savourysystems.com
New Resistant Starch
Tate & Lyle announces its Promitor line of dietary resistant starch and prebiotic fiber. Promitor Resistant Starch helps manufacturers add more fiber to baked products and snacks, including cereal, crackers, cookies, bread and pasta, with no impact on taste or texture. Resistant starch is a starch that "resists" digestion and acts as a dietary fiber. Made from corn, Promitor Soluble Corn Fiber is a prebiotic fiber that is well-tolerated and has a low glycemic response. The new fiber has excellent process- and acid-stability and dissolves clear in applications. It is extremely easy to formulate with and can be used to replace traditional sweeteners such as liquid and dry corn sweeteners, sucrose, and sugar alcohols. At only 2kcal/g, it can be used to reduce calories while maintaining the texture and body imparted from nutritive sweeteners.
Tate & Lyle PLC; London, U.K.
866-653-6622; www.tateandlyle.com
EYE ON: Ingredients
New Ingredient Trend Rises to the Surface
Quincy Bioscience LLC, Madison, Wis., makers of Prevagen calcium-binding jellyfish protein (aequorin) dietary supplement is investigating technology to make its product available as an ingredient for selected food products. Calcium-binding proteins, found naturally throughout the body, keep cells healthy and help counteract some of the body's aging processes. They work by binding to molecules that could cause cellular damage, age and cell death. Unfortunately, over time we lose the ability to make these valuable, age-fighting proteins at the rate we did when we were young. According to Mark Underwood, Quincy Bioscience president, the company has "had continued discussions with some very large ingredient and consumer products companies." He explains the companies are looking at Biosciences jellyfish protein ingredient technology as a possible source to enhance their health value and adds, "I think that you will be hearing about this jellyfish protein for years to come."
Quincy Bioscience/Prevagen Brands; Madison, Wis.
608.233.2475; www.prevagen.com
