Recent Study on Prolibra Weight Management Solution
A human clinical trial has shown that Prolibra, a weight management solution from Glanbia Nutritionals, considerably reduces postprandial glycemia in a dose dependant manner and results in a lower glycemic index (GI). Consuming foods with a low GI is one dietary approach for achieving healthy weight loss and may aid weight loss through the control of appetite, delay of hunger, and reduction of insulin levels and insulin resistance.
Participants experienced a statistically significant reduction of up to 37.8 GI units when Prolibra was added to a liquid meal consisting of 50 g of glucose. The research, conducted by Glycemic Index Laboratories for Glanbia Nutritionals, has implications for companies looking to introduce healthful weight-management products that feature science-based GI reduction claims.
Ten healthy men and women (average body mass index [BMI] 33.6 kg/m2) completed the multiday glucose measurement study with Prolibra. Subjects fasted 10 to 14 hours, were weighed, took a fasting blood sample, consumed a test meal, and took blood samples at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes thereafter. Three Prolibra dose levels were used to determine the glycemic index lowering potential of the ingredient within a liquid meal: 6.1g, 12.2g, and 24.4g. The study found that the addition of Prolibra significantly reduces postprandial glycemia to all test meals, with a reduction of up to 37.8 GI units. Increasing the dose of Prolibra causes a greater decrease in GI values in an essentially linear relationship.
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Company achieves NSF international GMP registration for ingredients
Cognis Nutrition and Health is one of the first suppliers to achieve good manufacturing practices (GMP) registration through National Science Foundation (NSF) international dietary supplement certification program for Covitol natural vitamin E, Vegapure natural phytosterols, and Tonalin conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).
The company has successfully met all of the program requirements for its production facilities in Kankakee, Illinois and Illertissen, Bavaria.
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Company receives patent for taste modification technology
Cargill has received a patent for its technology in taste tissue imaging and taste modification that is said to be superior to the cell screening technology currently available in the flavor, food and beverage industries. The patented technology allows Cargill to effectively discover taste modifiers – such as sweetness enhancers, bitterness blockers, savory enhancers and salt enhancers – and develop flavors that make food and beverage products taste better.
Cargill’s technology helps identify natural molecules and flavor ingredients that could enhance the sweet taste of reduced-calorie foods and beverages or block bitter notes from others, such as processed foods. The system also provides data for identifying potential taste enhancers, blockers and modifiers.
The new imaging technology allows scientists to see and measure the cellular response of taste cells to taste stimulants. Cargill developed the technology in partnership with the Monell Chemical Senses Center, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit independent scientific institute dedicated to research on taste and smell.
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Company strengthens soybean milk empire in China
China Yingxia International, Inc has acquired Shanghai Jin Ao Food, a soybean milk manufacturer and distributor based in Shanghai, China for $4.1 million. The facilities were acquired from King International Food Corp., a Sino-Australian joint venture.
China Yingxia will utilize Jin Ao’s production equipment for the production of soybean milk and related products under the associated brand Kingland, the production technology and know- how, and marketing and distribution resources.
Jin Ao’s facility is currently producing about 2,000 tons of soybean-based products, with the capacity to reach 14,960 tons annually. China Yingxia expects Jin Ao to generate revenue of $1.6 million during the second half of 2008 with a gross profit of 30% and a net profit margin of 22%. Sales revenue has increased with a compound annual growth rate of 26% from 2005 to 2007. Jin Ao currently has 66 employees. Its major customers are large metropolitan supermarkets located throughout China. Its top five customers, which contribute to over 31% of sales, include Carrefour and Metro.
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Creating feed and fuel from corn residues
Archer Daniels Midland Company, Deere & Company and Monsanto Company have joined forces to explore technologies and processes to turn crop residues into feed and bioenergy products. The companies would identify environmentally and economically sustainable methods for the harvest, storage and transport of corn stover — the stalks, leaves and cobs of corn plants. Corn stover could be used in feed for animals, as biomass to generate steam and electricity or as a cellulosic feedstock for biofuel production.
By creating feed and energy products from crop byproducts, farmers could produce more products without farming more acres, and increase the value derived from each acre. Stover is usually left on the field to help reduce soil erosion and build up soil organic matter. A 170-bushel-per-acre corn crop, which was the average in Iowa last year, also produces about four dry tons of stover. The USDA forecasts that in 2008, farmers would harvest 12.3 billion bushels of corn, resulting in approximately 290 million tons of stover. The companies would address a number of complexities and challenges. Stover collection rates for example would need to be adjusted on a field-by-field basis to ensure that sufficient stover is left on the soil to reduce erosion and maintain or improve soil quality for the next season’s crop. The amount of moisture in the stover at harvest could also present challenges in transportation and storage.
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Company’s sales grows 45% to nearly $133m
Frutarom has reported an income of $132 million in the second quarter of 2008, reflecting growth of 44.6% compared with the same quarter in 2007 (growth of 36% excluding the influence of the revaluation of the European currencies compared with the US dollar). In the first half of 2008,Frutarom's sales totaled $254.6 million– a growth of 47.8% compared with the parallel quarter in 2007. Excluding the influence of the strengthening European currencies compared with the dollar, the sales growth totaled 39%.
Organic growth factors are increased sales in flavors produced and sold by the flavors
division, and growth in the sale of unique ingredients, mainly natural, produced and sold by the fine ingredients division. Other growth factors include the acquisitions of Gewurzmuller, Abaco, Raychan, Adumim and Rad during the second half of 2007 and their merger with Frutarom's global activity; the synergy and cross selling opportunities between Frutarom's divisions, its customers and products; the strengthening of the West against the US dollar; and growth in Frutarom's trade and marketing activity in Israel.
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DSM invests in food ingredients developer Provexis plc
DSM Venturing, the corporate venturing unit of Royal DSM N.V.,says it has acquired an equity stake of 29.3% in Provexis plc, a company that develops and licenses ingredients for the functional food, medical food and dietary supplement market.
The investment makes DSM the largest shareholder of Provexis. Through the investment, DSM would further expand its business in ingredients for functional food and dietary supplements focusing on cardiovascular and digestive health, which are also addressed by Provexis.
Krijn Rietveld, senior vice president new business development at DSM Nutritional Products, has been appointed nonexecutive director of the company.
Provexis' lead product is Fruitflow, a bioactive, patented extract from tomatoes that improves the blood flow which is important in maintaining a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.
Fruitflow has already attracted substantial interest from major food manufacturers such as Unilever.
The investment brings the total number of current company participations of DSM Venturing to twenty. The company has earmarked up to 200 million euros ($295.7 million) for venturing investments until 2012.
