Omega-3s & nutritional oils

Special edition: The infinite potential of algae

Nature’s untapped resource: How far can algae go?

23-Jul-2012 By Nathan Gray

From omega-3, to protein, vitamins, and antioxidants – algae has big potential as an industrial source of high value functional ingredients for food production. But with less than 10% of the world's algae species properly characterised, NutraIngredients...

Omega-3s may protect children against allergies: Human data

23-Jul-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of omega-3-rich fish oil may reduce the allergic response to some allergens, says a new study that adds to the immune modulating properties of the fatty acids.

Special edition: The infinite potential of algae

Algae Biosciences: What will differentiate us in algal omegas market is purity

23-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Near perfect growing conditions for algae combined with an ultra-efficient production process will give AlgaeBio a competitive edge in the algal ingredients market, its boss has claimed.

Special edition: The infinite potential of algae

Welcome to the jungle: New entrants square up for battle in the algal ingredients market

23-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

There is room for multiple players in the burgeoning algal-ingredients market, but having a cost-efficient and sustainable production process will be mission critical to long-term survival, say bosses at new market entrants bidding for a piece of the...

Special edition: The infinite potential of algae

It's flour Jim, but not as we know it... Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals takes algae to the final frontier

23-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

The first novel algae products to emerge from a joint venture between French food ingredients giant Roquette and Californian microalgae expert Solazyme have just hit the market.

Chia demand outstripping supply to lead to big crop increase in crop area next year: BI chief

20-Jul-2012

Huge demand for chia will see chia become a ‘great crop’ for the key growing regions, says George Pontiakos, President of BI Nutraceuticals, as consumers embrace the super seed.

DSM promises “business continuity” as it completes €436m omega-3 buy

19-Jul-2012 By Shane Starling

Royal DSM has emphasised “business continuity” and “smooth integration” following the completion of its $CAD540m (€436m) buy-out of the world’s largest omega-3 fish oil supplier, Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC), today.

Nestlé invests in US brain food maker: ‘This is a big strategic move for us’

19-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Two months after Abbott Nutrition described brain food research as “one of our top global priorities”, Nestlé Health Science has acquired a stake in Accera, the US firm behind Axona, a medical food targeted at people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.

Tight chia supply? Not us, says Australia’s Chia Co., as it continues global expansion

18-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The much touted tightness in the chia supply is not being experienced by all suppliers, with Australia’s The Chia Company extending its growing area 100% year-on-year to satisfy demand.

Valensa on astaxanthin dispute with Cyanotech: ‘It is disappointing it has come to this’

18-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

It is “disappointing” that two key players in the astaxanthin market have ended up talking via their attorneys after their “excellent business relationship” became frayed, Valensa International president Dr Rudi Moerck has admitted.

Omega-3s & omega-6s show promise against ADHD: Cochrane review

17-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may help with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), says a new review from the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration.

Chia seeds raise blood ALA and EPA levels for postmenopausal women: Study

13-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consumption of chia seeds, rich in ALA, may increase blood levels of the long chain omega-3 EPA by 30% for postmenopausal women, says a new study from the Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina.

Polyphenol-rich olive oil blazes trail in functional foods market with OxLDL cardio health message

11-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

The creators of OliveHeart, a novel polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil claimed to help reduce oxidized LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol - a key risk factor for atherosclerosis - are promising to turn the ultra-traditional olive oil market on its head.

Novel plant source of omega-3s DHA and EPA should be commercialized by 2020, says Cargill

09-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

A completely new source of the coveted long chain omega-3s EPA and DHA should be commercialized by the end of the decade thanks to a multi-million-dollar tie up between ingredient giants BASF and Cargill to produce the next generation of canola oils.

Olympic Seafood begins krill lipid research partnership

05-Jul-2012 By Nathan Gray

Norwegian krill ingredient supplier Olympic Seafood AS has kicked off a new research partnership to investigate the fundamental science behind krill phospholipids.

Interview: Samy Jandali, VP Nutrition & Health, North America, BASF

Open innovation at BASF: ‘We want to move beyond the buzzwords'

03-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Chat to any major ingredients supplier at a trade show and you can expect to hear liberal use of buzzwords from ‘partnership’ and ‘collaboration’ to ‘open innovation’ says Samy Jandali.

Algal omega-3s gain momentum as BioProcess Algae strikes deal with KD-Pharma to supply EPA-rich omega-3 oils

02-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

US microalgal oils firm BioProcess Algae has struck a deal with KD-Pharma - the German fats and oils division of Swiss firm Bioseutica - to supply it with ultra-concentrated EPA-rich omega-3 oils for nutraceutical and pharma applications.

Astaxanthin wars: Cyanotech and Valensa row over competition, IP

02-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Hawaii-based microalgae specialist Cyanotech and Florida-based nutraceutical firm US Nutraceuticals (doing business as Valensa International) have become embroiled in a bitter legal dispute over the potent red antioxidant astaxanthin.

Australian research says no conclusive evidence krill harvesting harms predators

27-Jun-2012

Research out of Australia has found “insufficient” evidence that krill harvesting is damaging Antarctic, land-based predator populations like seals and penguins.

Neptune secures US $25m in new orders for 2013 as Asian krill oil demand takes off

22-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has secured “new and firm orders amounting to US$25M for calendar year 2013” for its krill oil, driven by strong demand from Asia.

Omega-3’s anti-inflammatory potential shows in overweight people

21-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce levels of certain inflammatory markers by 10%, says a new study that claims to be the first to show omega-3 supplementation may alter inflammatory markers in overweight but otherwise healthy people.

CLA’s potential heart benefits linked to protein regulation

18-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential heart health benefits of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may be linked to its ability to alter protein expression in platelets, says a new study that may explain some of the anti-atherogenic effects of the fatty acids.

Nordic Naturals taps into demand for ‘fishless fish oil’ with new algal EPA/DHA products

14-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Omega-3 supplement specialist Nordic Naturals has met growing demand for products that deliver the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA - minus the fish - with the launch of its new vegetarian Algal Omega brand.

Omega-3 dementia benefits questioned by new Cochrane review

13-Jun-2012 By Nathan Gray

Omega-3 supplements are unlikely to prevent cognitive declines and dementia in the elderly, according to a review of the evidence published by the Cochrane Collaboration.

Could null pharma trials negatively impact omega-3 dietary supplements?

12-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The failure of a pharmaceutical grade omega-3 product to modify cardiovascular events in high-risk patients may impact the dietary supplements market, but industry educational efforts should minimize the impact.

Omega-3s may lower heart failure risk by 15%: Meta-analysis

11-Jun-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of omega-3s and higher blood levels of the fatty acids are associated with a 15% decrease in the risk of heart failure, says a new meta-analysis.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2012

Omega-3 suppliers must know their consumers

11-Jun-2012 By Rod Addy

Omega-3 suppliers must get to grips with their manufacturing customers and with consumers if they are to market their products successfully, according to Virpi Varjonen, executive consultant at commercialisation agents Invenire.

Our brand-building strategy is paying off, says Schiff Nutrition boss

11-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Schiff Nutrition’s decision to pump all available cash into branding and innovation instead of deep discounts has paid off for its Move Free joint care brand, with posted a 25% surge in sales in the third quarter in a category that was “basically flat”,...

Neptune: ‘Krill oil is the fastest growing ingredient in the omega-3 market’

06-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Krill oil is “the fastest growing ingredient in the whole omega-3 market”, Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has claimed after unveiling its preliminary results for the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2012

Pure chemistry: BASF Nutrition plots nutrition course with 'Cognis inside'

31-May-2012 By Shane Starling from Geneva

BASF’s nutrition activities got a lot bigger in 2010 when the chemicals giant paid €3 billion for Cognis Nutrition. With the integration mostly complete, what’s up front for BASF Human Nutrition?

Friends of the Sea backs old and new krill players

30-May-2012 By Shane Starling

Sustainable seafood NGO Friends of the Sea (FOS) has backed the oldest and biggest krill oil supplier, Canadian krill player Neptune Technologies and Bioressources, along with the newest player in the omega-3 sub-sector, Norwegian firm, Rimfrost.

Spanish research team look to develop healthy ‘traditional’ breads

29-May-2012 By Nathan GRAY

Traditional unprocessed breads could be about to get a health kick from Spanish researchers, who are investigating ways to produce bakery products with high levels of omega-3 and fibre.

Neptune posts 31% rise in nutraceutical sales in Q4 as krill oil demand grows

25-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has posted a 31% surge in sales in its nutraceutical business in the final quarter of fiscal 2012, and a 15% rise in sales in this division over the full year.

Omega-3 chia leader: “We are running out of stock”

24-May-2012 By Shane Starling at Vitafoods in Geneva

The South American-based chia seed leader, Benexia, says it is close to exhausting supplies as demand booms for the plant-sourced omega-3 source.

DHA omega-3 linked to improved literacy for ADHD children: Study

23-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Increased levels of the omega-3 DHA may be associated with improved literacy in children with learning difficulties, according to a new study from Australia.

Abbott Nutrition: ‘Cognition research is one of our top global priorities’

21-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

The first research projects to emerge from a tie-up between Abbott and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) will advance our understanding of the relationship between diet and cognition - and help Abbott create the next generation of brain...

Nutrient dense nutrition bar shows ‘striking’ metabolic benefits

18-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A low-calorie, high-fiber, nutrient-dense supplement bar may boost the feeling of fullness, and improve a number of health markers like HDL cholesterol and antioxidant defenses, says a new study.

Vitamin Shoppe: US supplement user confidence soars to 93% as usage increases

18-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Taking dietary supplements can boost confidence about health, according to The Vitamin Shoppe's annual survey, with usage up to 63% of the US population.

DSM eyes generic omega-3 drug space with €420m ONC buy

18-May-2012 By Shane Starling

DSM will use its global reach to drive its latest acquisition - fish-sourced omega-3 leader, Ocean Nutrition Canada, beyond its core North American market – but sees opportunities in generic drugs that may prove more lucrative.

Researchers unpick cellular benefits of omega-3

16-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

The processes behind the widely reported health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids has been revealed for the first time by a team of researchers in the USA.

John Elway joins forces with Neptune to promote NKO krill oil

16-May-2012

John Elway, former NFL Super Bowl Champion and Hall-of-Fame quarterback, is partnering with Neptune Technologies & Bioressources, attesting to feeling the benefits of the company’s krill oil.

Israeli krill player doubles capacity

07-May-2012 By Shane Starling

Israeli lipid specialist Enzymotec has doubled its krill production capacity to an unspecified level as it responds to growing global demand for the Antarctic micro-shrimp that is registering at about 30% per annum.

Omega-3 may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s: Study

07-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of omega-3 rich foods could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by lowering levels of plasma beta-amyloid, according to new research.

Oral supplements just one tool in armory vs sun damage, says new market entrant

23-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

While it would be irresponsible to suggest you can pop some pills and spend all day in intense sunlight without damaging your skin, there is a growing market for supplements that can protect skin from ‘incidental’ exposure to sunlight, says one new entrant...

Omega-3 may reduce damage from smoking, suggests research

20-Apr-2012

Omega-3 fatty acids could help to reduce the physical harm caused by smoking, according to a new study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology.

Omega-3 has no benefit for multiple sclerosis, finds 'underpowered' RCT

18-Apr-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has no benefit on the disease activity of multiple sclerosis, according to data from a new clinical trial the authors acknowledged was underpowered.