Chemi Nutra launches PS for functional drinks

Patented Serinaid disperse 1.5F was developed in collaboration with Ingredient Innovations International (also referred to as "3i's"), a firm specializing in ingredient nanoparticle technology.

The company will market its PS around the support of cognitive health, delivered through functional beverages.

It would seem this is a win-win combination, given the popularity of both the concept of cognitive health support and functional beverages.

"With 3i's demonstrated capabilities and our combined applications work in functional drinks, we are excited that PS can now be easily and effectively added to functional beverages, a rapidly evolving segment in the functional foods arena", said Chemi Nutra president Scott Hagerman.

Found in fish, green leafy vegetables, soybeans and rice, PS regulates metabolic processes such as neuronal signalling.

Studies have associated the nutrient to improvements in memory and mood, and specifically linked it to delaying symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's.

Chemi Nutra says it began working with 3i's about ten years ago to find a stable, concentrated, highly bioavailable, liposomal PS.

According to a Mintel report this year, the functional beverage market grew by up to 30 percent over the past five years.

The market in the US reached $9.8b in 2007, up 14 percent from 2002.

Mintel's findings confirm that Americans are trying to be healthier, at the same time as wanting convenience - which is further good news for the functional food and beverage market.

Coupled with this evolving attitude, the fact that younger consumers are tapping into these drinks means what was once a trend is now here to stay.

Beverages lend particularly well to fortification and have the added allure of convenience because they are portable.

Chemi Nutra is one of the US business units of parent company Chemi S.p.A., a privately held pharmaceutical and nutraceutical company based in Italy.