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Ingredient supplier Kensing has developed a prototype of light cream cheese enriched with its sunflower-derived plant sterol formulation, Sunvasterol EST, targeting growing demand for functional foods that support heart health.
Sunvasterol EST is a fat-soluble phytosterol ingredient derived exclusively from sunflower seeds. Kensing said its formulation is designed to integrate into fat-containing foods, including dairy spreads, yogurts, margarines and sauces, without compromising texture or flavour.
Plant sterols are naturally occurring compounds found in seeds, grains, nuts and legumes. Due to their structural similarity to cholesterol, they can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, lowering levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
The European Food Safety Authority has approved health claims for plant sterols at daily intakes of 1.5g-3g.
Kensing's formulation consists primarily of beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, esterified with fatty acids from sunflower oil to improve their solubility in fat-based applications.
According to the company, application assessments found that the ingredient distributed evenly throughout the cream cheese, maintaining a creamy, spreadable texture without detectable off-flavours or a grainy mouthfeel.
Sunvasterol EST accounts for 6.7% of the prototype formulation, with a 25g serving providing approximately 1g of plant sterols. Kensing said two servings daily would deliver 1.5g-2.4g, an intake associated with a 7%-10% reduction in LDL cholesterol over two to three weeks.
Alessio Tagliaferri, vice president of global business development and marketing at Kensing, said: “We're opening new possibilities for making phytosterols part of consumers’ daily wellness routines by incorporating them into everyday dietary staples, from spreads to yogurts".
“Consuming plant sterols with meals is generally recommended to maximise their LDL cholesterol-lowering benefits, as they work in the digestive tract by reducing cholesterol absorption. Integrating them into foods commonly enjoyed at mealtimes therefore makes both practical and nutritional sense.”
Last year, Kensing received EFSA novel food exclusivity for Sunvasterol, allowing an expanded phytosterol specification that includes a higher proportion of naturally occurring minor sterols, between 3% and 7%.
The ingredient is produced at Kensing's facilities in Valencia and Talavera de la Reina, Spain, using sunflower oil distillates sourced locally. The company describes it as an upcycled byproduct of sunflower oil production.
