While Bluewave is already marketing a flavor enhanced fish protein hydrolyslate called AminoMarine directly to consumers, Protomine is Cyvex Nutrition’s branded ingredient designed for distribution to wholesale buyers for inclusion in protein powders, bars, ready-to-drink beverages, soup stocks, medical, and clinical nutrition products.
Protomine powder - which delivers protein at an 80%+ concentration in its natural unflavored form - gives formulators more options as they look for a broad range of protein sources that offer nutritional benefits, said Cyvex.
The powders - marketed as lean, sustainably sourced, fat free and made from a whole food source - also contain naturally occurring trace elements in bioavailable organic forms – including a 1:1 ratio of magnesium to calcium.
A truly unique ingredient for manufacturers looking to diversify their protein options
Suitable for a broad range of applications from sports nutrition to clinical nurition, Protomine has clean label benefits in that it does not contain gluten, dairy, fat and phytoestrogens, is non-GMO and free from added antibiotics and hormones, said Cyvex Nutrition president Matt Phillips.
“Protomine is a truly unique ingredient for manufacturers looking to diversify the protein options in their foods and beverages.
“Protomine will come in on the high end of the 29 – 89% protein level defined for protein concentrates and be delivered in an ultra-low molecular weight profile that is well tolerated and absorbed more efficiently by the human body.”
Protomine has high levels of arginine, histidine and lysine
Containing all eight essential amino acids, Protomine has particularly high levels of arginine, histidine and lysine, important building blocks for human muscle, says Cyvex.
"The amino acids are in a bioactive peptide form [di-tri-oligo peptides] and are formed through hydrolysis, a process which uses enzymes to split long protein chains into shorter peptides via a water-based reaction.
"These smaller protein segments digest faster than longer chains, do not place as much of a burden on the digestive system and are more easily tolerated."
Another advantage is their fast absorption and efficiency, which makes them ideal for pre- and post-workout regimens, says the firm.
Fish protein - minus the fishy taste
In a recent interview with NutraIngredients-USA (click here), Mark Rottmann, COO for BlueWave Marine Ingredients, said: “We see a combination of the Paleo, CrossFit and dairy-free market to be our strongest initial market demand – additionally some users of Fish Oil pills as well as they will associate fish protein with health.
“When we look at the protein powder market for use in shakes and bars, we see several hundred thousand tons/year consumed by tens of millions of Americans.“
As NutraIngredients-USA first reported several years ago, advances with membrane technology allowed Bluewave to produce fish protein isolated that meets both the organoleptic and economic requirements for the broader food ingredient/ supplement marketplace.
The membrane system works by having one stream enter and three streams exit. The main stream is separated into a high fat plus protein stream, a zero fat plus protein stream, and a biogenic fraction. The fishiness is removed by the membrane, since it removes the oil and fat.
The protein is produced at Bluewave’s multi-thousand ton manufacturing subsidiary Proteicos Concentrados in Lima, Peru.
Cyvex Nutrition
Based in Irvine, CA, Cyvex Nutrition supplies proprietary, condition-specific ingredients to the nutraceutical industry. Its brand stable includes BioVin, SOLATHIN, Novusetin, OmegaPure and OmegaActiv.
In late 2010, it was acquired by Omega Protein Corporation, a leading producer of omega-3 fish oil and specialty ingredients for use in functional foods and nutritional supplements.
Bluewave currently has a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Cyvex Nutrition in the US and Canada.