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It's the second day of Vitafoods 2008, the global nutraceutical event held each year at the Palexpo beside Lake Geneva. We report on what's happening, who's there and what the future holds for the nutraceutical industry.

Claire Phoenix (Managing Editor of beverage innovation), Medina Bailey (Features Editor of beverage innovation) and Claire Rowan (Managing Editor Food&Beverage International) guide us through day two. **

Wednesday 7 May 2008**

life'sDHA Nutritional products company Martek Biosciences Corporation is showcasing its flagship DHA (docosahexaemic acid) omega-3, life'sDHA. The US company uses microalgae as a source of omega-3, which, unlike fish oil, is vegetarian, will not impact on a product's taste or smell, nor contain any ocean-borne contaminants.

Featuring in many beverage products, including Coca-Cola's Minute Maid pomegranate and blueberry beverage, and Sunkist's Naturals Glorious Greens offering, DHA is said to offer eye, brain and cardiovascular health benefits.

According to Martek's Executive Director of Industry and Commercial Relations, Philip C Fass, products to look out for in the future containing the ingredient include carbonated beverages and coffee.

Extramel D Air Liquide group subsidiary Seppic is launching its Extramel D ingredient at the show. The melon pulp concentrate, which is naturally rich in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other antioxidants, is in a hydro-dispersible form, making it suitable for beverages, dairy products and dietary supplements.

The 100% natural substance is resistant to flash pastuerisation, offers high stability and has no effect on the organoleptic quality of final products.

Lifenol French firm Naturex is highlighting its new natural formulation which aims to alleviate hot flushes during the menopause. Lifenol has been clinically proven to decrease menopause-associated symptoms in women, with no side effects reported when it was taken in scientific trials.

The women's health ingredient is made using female hop cone extracts standardised in 8-prenylnavingenin, which offers natural estrogenic properties.

Suntheanine Taiyo is showcasing its range of green-tea-derived ingredients. The Japanese company's range of clinically researched antioxidants, stress-reducing amino acids and soluble dietary fibres aim to provide high functionality from a natural source.

The line includes Suntheanine, a pure form of the amino acid L-theanine, which claims to reduce stress by promoting relaxation without drowsiness, improve quality of sleep, aid concentration and alleviate the symptoms of PMS. Possible applications include juices, sports drinks and bottled waters.

The Sunphenon portfolio, comprising catechin-rich green tea polyphenols, offers physiological benefits including strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and fat-burning activities. Its latest addition – Sunphenon TH-LC – contains 20% green tea and is available in powder form.

Watson Inc. New fluorescent glitter flakes shone on the Watson Inc stand, which unveiled its brighter, more intense glitter in random or specific shapes for applications such as chewing gum, cakes, cookies and confectionery.

Based on the company’s proprietary film technology, the flakes can be used to deliver colour to products in addition to flavour and active components, and are available in soluble or non-soluble options.

“The latest thing we offer is the pearlescent effect that allows us to provide colours that look like gold or silver with a great intensity, and that maintain their bright colours even on dark surfaces,” said Marie Garnich, vice president of global business development & sales, film technology division.

Kievit On its stand, Kievit is actively discussing its increased emphasis on custom solutions and collaborative development work in the area of spray drying and micro-encapsulation of active ingredients.

“Manufacturers have fine-tuned their processes to ensure optimum production, and so need ingredients and dry mixes that perform well in that process,” said Rick Kirpestein, director innovation, who is heading Kievit’s new Ventures department that's focusing on long-term development into innovative micro-encapsulation solutions. “Our aim is to provide convenient solutions that perform in the finished product without altering our customer’s processing systems.”

Mars Botanical The new scientific division of Mars Inc, Mars Botanical, highlighted its extensive research and development work into flavanols, the naturally occurring plant compounds or phytonutrients in cocoa.

Already used in products produced by Mars Inc, including the newly launched CocoaVia range of chocolate beverage powders containing 200mg of flavanols, Mars Botanical's products are backed by 15 years of research into the impact of cocoa flavanols on vascular health.

Mars Botanical will be looking to work with other commercial partners on the development of non-confectionery lines of products containing flavanols.

Gelita On its stand, Gelita presented its joint health product, Fortigel, which has been shown to stimulate cartilage metabolism and enhance the synthesis of cartilage cells.

Effective at levels of 10g per day, the functional ingredient can be used in sports drinks, cereal bars, powder drinks and dairy products.

Taiyo A cost-effective, natural green tea extract naturally rich in L-theanine has been introduced by Taiyo.

Taiyo has developed a system for extracting the theanin, which enables the company to offer natural extract at a lower price than alternatives, it says.

Rousselot Rousselot is focusing on beauty, health and nutrition to demonstrate the qualities of its pure Hydrolysed Collagen, which are being demonstrated on-stand in four cocktails.

The RHC Nutrition product range provides 97% of pure protein and can be used effectively in products for weight management, according to Caroline Brochard-Garnier, communication manager, Rousselot. The RHC Beauty range features the same collagen type as found in human skin and is designed to contribute to ensuring smooth and glossy skin; RHC Health; and the RHC Health range has been found to have a beneficial effect on joint health at intake levels of 10g per day.

Lonza Lonza unveiled its new name for its DHA range of ingredients and highlighted the work it's doing to support manufacturers using Carnipure, the company's trademarked L-Carnitine range.

DHAid is produced from microalgae without using fermentation and is very similar to a vegetarian source of DHA, according to Lonza, which is stressing the importance of sourcing ingredients from reputable suppliers in order to ensure quality and sustainability.

"Lonza has produced articles that have been published in consumer magazines that highlight the benefits of L-Carnitine and the assurance that Lonza's Carnipure quality seal provides," said Ulla Freitas. "In this way, we support manufacturers who use the quality seal and ensure the quality of L-Carnitine for everyone." New products include ice cream with L-Carnitine and a caramel syrup with carnitine used as a coffee sweetener. Lonza produces products for sports and energy drinks as well as male fertility and heart health.

Bernard Bekker MD of Intermed Discovery GmbH has the largest database of sources works closely with Cognis and other companies to develop exploratory projects.Cognis offers all round vitality including cholesterol reduction through its weight management body fat reduction product Tonalin. Beauty from within is now part of its core strategy using vitamin E and botanical extracts.

Speaking at one of the Vitafoods Congress presentations - Dr Gertrude Bakker of TNO in the Netherlands spoke on how amino acids helps calcium to be more easily absorbed in the intestinal tract. However absorption from different calcium sources needs to be from a standard set of protocols to .compare bioavailability Apparently calcium is absorbed at a higher level when taken with a meal than without.

Dr Brian Lockwood of the University of Manchester closed the second day of the Vitafoods congress spoke on soy isoflavones and bone health. He was able to communicate soy's health benefits particularly with reference to osteoporosis. Apparently soy stimulates bone formation. And clinical trials on those with the disease saw a 50% reduction in levels of deterioration.

Chinese ingredients company Efong Pharmaceutical produce a number of teas with health benefits including beauty face tea and teas that help you sleep. Based in Guangdong the company also specialises in natural botanical extracts.

*For fuller information on any of the products mentioned in this report, see the next issue of Beverage Innovation, Dairy Innovation and Food & Beverage International. Go to our subscriptions **page. *