Wellness Foods + Supplements 3/2021

No. 3, November/December 2021 

www.harnisch.com | ISSN 2364-8104 

Healthy ageing Venous health 

Botanical extracts Micronutrients 

Diabetes Natural sweetener 

Beauty food Holistic health 

Vitamins

Editorial 

SILKE WATKINS, Editor-in-Chief 

There is no improvement in sight 

for the time being 

Who has not already had this experience: 

you want to beautify your home and discover 

that not everything is in stock and sometimes 

even not available for an indefinite period of 

time? 

Raw materials have been in short supply in 

many areas of the manufacturing economy 

for months, and almost all areas are now 

affected, including the food and beverage 

industry. 

The supply situation is already tense, especially 

in the packaging industry. The costs 

of tinplate, glass and corrugated cardboard 

have increased, fuelled by the consumer 

trend away from plastic and back to glass 

and paper packaging. But the prices for 

plastics have also increased significantly. A 

switch to renewable raw materials and their 

ability to recycle as well as avoiding plastic 

have long been identified as advantages. 

The use of new technologies and the application 

of new designs can reduce the use of 

packaging material. 

In the meantime, companies can fall back on 

an ever-increasing range of alternative materials, 

such as fibre-based packaging materials. 

But here too, there are a few things 

to consider and cellulose fibres cannot be 

recycled endlessly. Packaging and labels 

made of grass paper were already presented 

at Fachpack 2019. A research project at the Munich University of 

Applied Sciences dealt with asparagus waste and how it can be used 

for paper and packaging production. The Finnish company Fazer 

Bakery had an obvious idea, which has developed bread bags from 

oat husks, a by-product of their own oat milling process. 

On the one hand, price increases can lead to more innovations; on 

the other hand, one should take a closer look at global supply chains 

and find solutions to shorten supply chains in the long term and thus 

reduce dependencies. Unfortunately, there are also other cost factors 

such as rising energy and fuel prices. And if that wasn't enough, bad 

harvest results this year due to the weather have already led to higher 

retail prices in a number of areas. Unfortunately, there is no improvement 

in sight in the foreseeable future. 

One or the other topic will certainly be the subject of discussion at the 

FiE + HiE in Frankfurt at the end of November. 

I wish you an interesting read in this issue and good health at all 

times. 

Kind regards 

Silke Watkins 

No. 3 November/December 2021 

3

Contents 

Health 

Convenience Food 

Food & Beverages 

Confectionary 

Cover Photo © : Adobe Stock/Xenia Snowstorm 

The immune system protects us from pathogens 

such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Various 

micronutrients are of particular importance for 

the functioning of our body’s defences. Vitamin 

A, zinc, vitamin D and magnesium are essential 

for the normal function of the immune system. 

However, there is often insufficient intake with 

food, so that supplementation can be useful(see 

article at page 29) 

Sports Nutrition 

Health Care 

Personal Care 

Contents 

Blood sugar management 

06 Healthy ageing: The power of prevention 

Healthy ageing and mental well-being 

10 Plant-based extracts to support healthy ageing and mental well-being 

Venous health 

16 Pycnogenol ® for strong and healthy veins 

Botanical extracts 

22 Botanical extracts for healthy ageing 

Plant-based ingredients 

24 Laïta Nutrition affirms its strategic shift towards plant-based ingredients in the years to come 

Minerals and micronutrients 

26 Solutions for the fortification of food with mineral salts 

Micronutrients for the immune system 

29 Micronutrients for the immune system: vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc 

Formulation of nutraceuticals 

34 Nutraceutical tablets with enhanced properties 

Key features for foods and beverages 

36 Taste & texture, health, convenience: meeting the 3 driving forces in food and beverages 

Diabetes 

39 More promising steps in the prevention of Type 2 diabetes 

Natural sweetener in compressed tablets 

40 ERYLITE ® Erythritol in compressed tablets 

Beauty food 

44 Moving forward with beauty from within 

Holistic health 

48 Holistic approach to human health 

50 Impressum 

4 No. 3 November/December 2021

ERYLITE ® Erythritol 

in compressed tablets 

Coated ERYLITE ® Erythritol 

as multifunctional carrier 

Tablets with high tensile strength 

ERYLITE ® is 

Natural produced by bio-fermentation 

Calorie-free 

Sugar-free and zero glycaemic index 

Non-allergenic 

www.jungbunzlauer.com


Photo © : Shutterstock © /El Nariz 

Today, ageing well means staying fit and active for as long as possible, and making the right lifestyle and food choices in order to 

enjoy the best quality of life. 

Healthy ageing: The power of prevention 

Anke Sentko 

In 2050, one in four EU and US citizens will be 65 or older. i 

With more and more people living longer, the perception 

of what it means to age healthily has changed, with many 

now adopting a preventive – rather than reactive – approach 

in a bid to stay healthy and active for as long as possible. 

When it comes to nutrition, lowering high blood sugar levels 

is important, as it reduces the risk of non-communicable 

diseases (NCDs) such as obesity or cardiovascular diseases. 

Low-glycaemic carbohydrates are particularly well-suited 

to product concepts around blood glucose management 

targeting seniors. 

Over the last decade, health concerns have shifted quite significantly. 

A consumer survey by market research company Health Focus International 

showed that in 2010 the focus was primarily on chronic 

and acute conditions (such as cancer and heart disease), followed 

by daily problems such as stress and energy levels, with ageing 

lower down the agenda. In 2020, however, the survey showed that 

concerns about ageing were taking priority, demonstrating a shift in 

consumer focus, with ‘maintaining the ability 

to continue with my normal activities as I age’ 

the number one concern across the globe. ii 

Consumers want to stay fit, active and independent 

for as long as possible, and nutrition 

is playing an increasingly important role 

in this. At the same time, however, despite 

commitments to leading a healthier existence, 

the prevalence of lifestyle-related 

health problems continues to rise. 

Why carbohydrates matter 

In the silver generation, many biological 

processes begin to slow down and metabolic 

responses – such as the stirring of regulatory 

or hormonal processes – become less 

effective. This is reflected in insulin resist- 



ance and impaired glucose tolerance. For 

many people, getting older often goes hand 

in hand with piling on weight too – both risk 

factors for other diseases. When a person 

becomes overweight or obese, the risk of 

suffering from higher blood pressure, cholesterol, 

triglycerides and glucose intolerance, 

along with insulin resistance, thrombosis and 

endothelial dysfunction increases. Impaired 

glucose tolerance increases with age, as 

does the development of Diabetes mellitus iii . 

These can all increase the chances of NCDs 

such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, 

some cancers and type-2 diabetes. 

Carbohydrates play an important part in a 

balanced diet, and should provide 55 % to 

75 % of a person’s energy requirements iv . 

Many evidence-based reports v suggest that 

the preferred choice of carbohydrates should 

be one that allows for slow release, enabling a 

lower blood glucose profile to be maintained 

throughout the day, along with a lower insulin 

level. This not only supports metabolic health 

but benefits fat oxidation for energy production 

and inhibits the storage of fat, which may 

support weight management. With all this in 

mind, the nutritional quality of carbohydrates 

is very important to healthy ageing. What’s 

more, lower blood sugar levels have been 

shown to help strengthen immunity vi . 

In Asia, Europe and the US, 78 % of 65- 

to 75-year-olds are paying attention to 

their sugar intake, says a consumer survey 

conducted by Insites Consulting on BENEO’s 

behalf vii . Keeping an eye on sugar consumption 

is seen as a positive way to improve 

blood sugar levels and subsequently age 

more healthily. Since 1980 there has been 

a global increase of 27.5 % in obese and 

overweight adults viii . With a typical adult 

gaining approximately 1 kg per year over 

their lifetime, and a deficiency of 7000 kcal 

needed to lose every kilogram ix , supporting a 

healthy lifestyle begins with enjoyable products 

that encourage people to make the 

right food choices. Low glycaemic products 

are key in the weight management toolbox. 

They help to lower a person’s blood glucose 

profile, which leads to lower insulin levels, 

supporting metabolic health, fat oxidation 

and the inhibition of fat storage. 

Therefore, the goal for any food producer interested in promoting the 

long-term health of consumers should be the development of food 

choices with a lower glycaemic profile. This is possible by choosing 

the right ingredients to provide the necessary energy for a person’s 

metabolism, while supporting a low and balanced rise in blood 

glucose, and a low increase in insulin. 

Low-glycaemic ingredients on the rise 

In product development, there is increasing popularity of plantbased 

ingredients with added health benefits, such as Palatinose 

(isomaltulose), chicory root fibre (inulin, oligofructose) and isomalt. 

With a low or non-glycaemic profile, all of these ingredients can help 

in the creation of foods and beverages that support blood sugar 

management. 

BENEO’s Palatinose is a slow-release sugar made from sucrose 

which is naturally sourced from sugar beet. It is also found naturally 

in honey. Palatinose is unique in its ability to deliver a lower 

rise in blood glucose, while providing the body with full carbohydrate 

energy (4 kcal/g). It’s slow uptake resulting in a low and balanced 

blood glucose response makes it an ideal ingredient to support blood 

sugar management. No wonder, then, that almost two-thirds of European 

55- to 75-year-olds in a consumer survey x find Palatinose 

appealing thanks to these beneficial characteristics. Additionally, this 

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By choosing ingredients with a low-glycaemic effect for their products, manufacturers can offer consumer-effective tools for 

healthy ageing. 

unique sugar carries EU health claims for being tooth-friendly and 

providing a lower blood glucose response. BENEO’s sugar replacer 

Isomalt supports a low glycaemic diet by assisting the creation of tasty 

and enjoyable sugar-free confectionery, and other food products. It 

provides half the calories of sugar, whilst having an almost negligible 

effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. Similar to Palatinose also 

isomalt supports dental health and carries an EU health claim for 

being toothfriendly as well as an US health claim for not promoting 

tooth decay. Chicory root fibres, such as BENEO’s inulin and oligofructose, 

contribute to a low glycaemic diet by replacing available 

carbohydrates and enriching the food with a dietary fibre. Thus, 

they support effective blood sugar management. xi At the same time, 

numerous scientific studies have shown that chicory root fibre is one 

of the very few proven prebiotics that nourishes the beneficial gut 

microbiota xii . It supports digestive health xiii and wellbeing xiv as well as 

weight management xv – all important aspects of healthy ageing. 

Sustained energy to counteract fatigue 

Many things can rob people of their energy but ageing, whilst juggling 

work, relational stresses and hormonal changes, can all have an 

impact on whether or not a person feels energised on a daily basis 

as they get older. With age comes a wish to stay as “energised as 

ever” and small changes in daily eating and living can help with 

this. Many elderly consumers are therefore looking for products that 

deliver energy in a way that helps promote their longer-term health 

too. Here, there is an opportunity for food and drink producers to 

make the most of sustained energy-delivery ingredients such as 

BENEO’s Palatinose. This slow-release 

sugar provides the carbohydrates the brain 

depends on, whilst allowing the body to stay 

in a low glycaemic state. 

Growing market 

Many baby boomers, the generation born 

in the 1950s and 1960s, prefer food and 

drinks that are easy to integrate into their 

daily diet, rather than using food supplements. 

One surprising fact from recently 

conducted consumer research in five European 

countries was that this cohort takes 

fewer supplements than the overall population, 

which could be as a result of ‘pill 

fatigue’, as many people of this generation 

are on regular medication. So there is clearly 

a need for healthy ageing solutions beyond 

the supplements market xvi , with two-thirds 

of consumers aged between 55 and 64 

willing to try new products and ingredients 

when there is an attached health benefit xvii . 

Hence, the opportunities for manufacturers 

are huge, as products that provide carbohydrate 

energy in a slow, low and balanced way 

are needed throughout the day – from breakfast, 

lunch and dinner, to snacks in between. 



References 

i 

United Nations World population Ageing Report 2019. 

https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/ 

publications/pdf/ageing/WorldPopulationAgeing2019- 

Report.pdf 

ii 

Health Focus International, Global Trends Study 2010- 

2020, Global Total: Includes core trended countries – 

Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Germany, UK, Russia, 

India, Australia, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Philippines 

iii 

International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Atlas 9th 

Edition (2019) 

iv 

https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/5_population_ 

nutrient/en/ 

v 

Augustin LS, Kendall CW, Jenkins DJ et al. (2015) Glycemic 

index, glycemic load and glycemic response: An international 

scientific consensus summit from the international 

carbohydrate quality consortium (ICQC). Nutr Metab Cardiovasc 

Dis 25(9): 795–815. http://www.nmcd-journal.com/ 

article/S0939-4753(15)00127-1/pdf 

Livesey G et al. (2019) Dietary Glycemic Index and Load 

and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review 

and Updated Meta-Analyses of Prospective Cohort 

Studies. Nutrients 11(6). https://www.mdpi.com/2072- 

6643/11/6/1280 

vi 

Jafar et al. (2016) Am J Med Sci 351(2): 201–211. https:// 

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26897277/ 

vii 

Insite Consulting: Consumer Research on Nutrition & 

Health 2020/21. 

viii 

http://www.healthdata.org/infographic/obesity-andoverweight-increasing-worldwide 

ix 

Khan and Bowman, Ann Rev Nutr 1999, 19 13-17 

x 

Source: BENEO’s Consumer Research on Health & Nutrition 

in Europe, 2020 Q: How appealing do you find Palatinose? 

xi 

Kellow et al (2014), Liu et al (2017) both systematic review 

and meta analysis, O’Connor et al (2017) literature review, 

Zhang et al (2020) systematic review and meta analysis 

xii 

Gibson GR, Hutkins R, Sanders ME et al. (2017) Expert 

consensus document: The International Scientific Association 

for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus 

statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nat 

Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 14(8): 491–502. https://www. 

nature.com/articles/nrgastro.2017.75.pdf 

xiii 

Collada Yurita et al (2014) systematic review and meta 

analysis, Skorka et al (2018) systematic review 

xiv 

Vandeputte D, Falony G, Vieira-Silva S, et al. Gut 

Published Online First: 17th February 2017 oi:10.1136/ 

gutjnl-2016-313271 

xv 

Kellow et al (2014) systematic review and meta analysis, 

O’Connor et al (2017) literature review 

xvi 

Health Focus International and BENEO Survey On Healthy 

and Nutrition Q4 2020. 

xvii 

Source: BENEO’s Nutrition & Health Survey 2020 

For more information, please contact 

Anke Sentko 

Vice President Regulatory Affairs & Nutrition 

Communication, BENEO 

contact@beneo.com 

www.beneo.com 

NEW 

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BLOOD SUGAR MANAGEMENT 

CLINICALLY PROVEN 

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No. 3 November/December 2021 9


Photo © : Anklam Extrakt GmbH 

Plant-based extracts to support healthy 

ageing and mental well-being 

Annette Masuch, Ph.D. 

An apple a day… 

Since ancient times, people are longing for the gift of eternal youth. 

This is manifested for instance in the motif of the fountain of youth 

in diverse myths, legends and fairy tales. A bath in it or drinking its 

water is said to wash away the ailments of old age. Remarkably, in 

Norse mythology eternal youth is based on a special food: the golden 

apples of Idun. The Aesir need to eat these apples regularly to keep 

their youth until Ragnarok comes – according to the legend. Interestingly, 

today it is evident that indeed our diet plays a pivotal role 

for healthy ageing [1]. Though the number and proportion of elder 

people is steadily increasing, the presence of the “senescent phenotype” 

is rather new considering that at most times and places human 

life was not much longer than 40 years due to adverse living conditions. 

However, in 2020, one billion people were 60 years and older, 

already outnumbering children younger than 5 years [2]. Ongoing 

improvement of healthcare, living standards and increasing knowledge 

about the impact of individual behaviour like physical activity 

and adequate nutrition positively affect the life expectancy. Moreover, 

in addition to the prolonged lifetime itself, the actual quality of life in 

the elderly is increasingly coming into focus. 

The process of ageing – behind the scenes 

From the scientific point of view, ageing is the decrease of functional 

and vital cells as a consequence of the accumulation of a variety 

of cellular and molecular damage over 

time. Several candidate theories have been 

proposed to understand and decipher the 

overall process of ageing. 

Among others, oxidative damage related to 

the formation of reactive oxygen species 

(ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction 

is believed to contribute to the build-up 

of intracellular damage associated with 

increased age. ROS may oxidise and 

damage cell membranes, proteins and DNA. 

Mitochondria constitute the energy building 

facilities within mammalian cells. Notably, 

their own DNA is much more susceptible 

to mutations over time compared to nuclear 

DNA. Consequently, mitochondrial dysfunction 

(e. g. in the respira tory chain) and defective 

energy production are thought to increase 

ROS production contributing to cellular 

damage [3,4]. Similarly, cellular senescence 

meaning arrested proliferative capacity of 

cells due to short dysfunctional telomeres is 

related to aged and diseased tissues. Telomeres 

are repeated DNA sequences located 

at the end of chromosomes. During cell 



division, the chromosomes are duplicated 

but not the tandem repeat structures of the 

telo meres – at least not entirely: Telomeres 

instead even lose some parts during each 

cell cycle and are specifically susceptible 

to oxidative damage. When telomeres are 

shortened to a critical length, they trigger 

a persistent DNA-damage response and 

the cell cycle will arrest. The cell may now 

either enter the programmed cell death or 

senescence [5]. Accumulating senescent 

cells appear to limit tissue regeneration and 

promote chronic inflammation. The term 

“inflammaging” refers to the observation of a 

chronic low-grade pro-inflammatory phenotype 

in aged individuals. It is associated with 

an impaired innate and adaptive immune 

response incapable to fight infections effectively 

[6]. 

These intracellular ageing processes are 

even accelerated by exogenous factors 

inducing oxidative stress like cigarette 

smoking, high fat diets, medication, UV light 

and other environmental or lifestyle factors. 

… and what’s the good news? 

The organism itself possesses the capacity 

to fight oxidative stress mediated by ROS 

with antioxidants [7]. In this respect, our diet 

exerts a decisive influence. Micronutrient 

and bioactive compound supply via fruit or 

vegetable consumption are often sub-optimal 

in elderly, however, which may be overcome 

by dietary supplementation [1]. Plant-based 

diets deliver a plethora of secondary plant 

metabolites that may positively influence 

health. Among them, the class of polyphenols 

are recognised as powerful antioxidants 

and rendered as main reason for the health 

benefits from consumption of fruits and 

vegetables. One subclass of polyphenols, 

the anthocyanins, are described as potent 

free radical scavengers [8]. Thus, in terms 

of antioxidant capacity, botanicals containing 

anthocyanins constitute a food source with 

high potential to support healthy ageing. 

In this context, an evergreen bush of the 

species Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz, 

native to the wild forest of Patagonia in 

Argentina and Chile is of special interest. Its 

Photo © : Shutterstock/Fancy Tapis, adapted by Anklam Extrakt GmbH 

fruit, the maqui berry, has turned out to be a real super fruit: it is 

considered one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins. Especially 

delphinidins as a subclass of anthocyanins possess highest free 

radical scavenging potency and are contained in considerable and 

dietary relevant quantities in maqui berries [8]. To make use of this 

specific power, Anklam Extrakt GmbH has developed an enriched 

and standardised maqui berry extract (MBE) containing at least 35 % 

anthocyanins and 25 % delphinidins: Delphinol ® . Indeed, Delphinol ® 

is well known for its capability to neutralize free radical oxygen 

species [9]. As outlined above, shortened telomeres and reduced 

proliferative capacity are cellular hallmarks of ageing. Using primary 

cultures of human fibroblast cells the effect of MBE on cellular proliferation 

was examined. To induce oxidative stress, fibroblast cells were 

treated with H 2 

O 2 

, which impairs cellular pro liferation. Treatment with 

Delphinol ® antagonised this oxidative stress effect. Moreover, investigating 

various characteristics of the telomeres under oxidative stress 

conditions, e. g. median telomere length, 20 th percentile telomere 

length, and percentage of short telomeres with < 3 kbp, clearly 

demonstrated that MBE attenu ated the H 2 

O 2 

-induced telomere shortening 

rate. These findings implicate that MBE may compensate the 

oxidative stress evoked by H 2 

O 2 

and positively influence the telomere 

shortening rate (unpublished data). 

Delphinol ® helps to maintain the health of skin and bones 

For each of us, rather obvious signs of ageing refer to the external 

appearance. Especially the visible parts of the skin like face and hands 

even more rapidly accumulate changes in structure and function as 

photo-ageing due to frequent exposure to UV irradiation accompanies 

the chronological ageing [10,11]. Typically, ageing associates 

with reduced number of vessels, structural changes in vessel properties 

and reduced density of lymphatic vessels in the human skin. 

Such vascular changes result in easy bruising and reduced nutrient 

supply. Fragmentation of the dermal collagenous matrix of the skin 

promotes wrinkle formation. Pigmentation of the skin may become 

uneven with age with so-called age spots [10]. As expected, generation 

of ROS plays also a central role in the structural alterations of 

the skin in both photo-ageing as well as chronological ageing [11]. In 

line with its strong antioxidant capacity, Delphinol ® has been reported 

to improve skin vitality. In a randomised double-blind placebo- 


11


controlled pilot study, the effects of 60 mg Delphinol ® supplementation 

for 8 weeks on several skin conditions was examined in 16 Japanese 

females. The study demonstrated improvement of the skin tone 

(hue, saturation and brightness) as well as reduced number and area 

of redness in the Delphinol ® group compared to the placebo group. 

With respect to the collagen score a slight increase in the Delphinol ® 

group was observed but not in the placebo group [12]. Previously, it 

has been reported that the intake of Delphinol ® -containing nutritional 

supplements for 90 days significantly improved the skin firmness and 

elasticity in aged skin as determined by cutometry [13]. 

From cell-based in vitro examinations it was suggested, that delphinidins 

may inhibit the UV-B induced skin damage since they counteracted 

UV-B mediated oxidative stress [14]. Taken together these 

observations suggest that MBE as a nutritional supplement supports 

the maintenance of skin health and counteracts ROS production, 

which would accelerate ageing-related structural changes. By 

contributing to a more vivid skin tone, reducing the number of red 

areas and supporting skin firmness and elasticity, Delphinol ® clearly 

promotes the beauty from within and thereby the overall well-being. 

Loss of bone mass and osteoporosis are well-known concomitants 

related to ageing. Of note, our bones are not inert structures but 

undergo continuous remodelling over the course of a lifespan. Bone 

remodelling refers to the processes of bone resorption and bone 

formation occurring in response to external and internal stimuli. The 

normal bone remodelling cycle includes the break-down of the bone 

matrix mediated by osteoclasts and the new deposition of collagen 

and minerals by osteoblasts [15]. With increasing age, bone density 

starts to reduce in women as well as in men already in the 3 rd decade 

of life. However, with the onset of the menopause and diminishing 

levels of oestrogen, the decrease in bone mass in women is accelerated 

associated with an increase in fracture risk. Again, increased 

oxidative stress is one of the cellular key mechanisms associated 

with bone loss in the elderly [16]. In cell culture and animal studies, 

the standardised maqui berry extract Delphinol ® inhibited the formation 

of osteoclasts, which would promote the bone resorption, in a 

dose-dependent manner and osteoblast differentiation was even 

stimulated. Moreover, Delphinol ® prevented loss of bone mass and 

reversed significant changes in bone architecture by stimulation of 

bone formation in mouse models of osteoporosis and osteopenia. 

These processes appear to be closely linked to the high antioxidant 

capacity of Delphinol ® [17,18]. Thereby, Delphinol ® as a nutritional 

supplement is able to support the health of our bones especially with 

respect to the age-related silent loss of bone mass that ultimately may 

end up with osteoporosis. 

Maqui berry extract (MBE) for healthy vision 

Photo © : Maqui New Life S.A., Chile 

MBE is also known for use in eye health and is marketed in this 

field of application under the name MaquiBright ® . In the field of eye 

health, with advancing age the risk of compromised tear fluid production 

and the development of dry eyes symptoms is emerging. Especially 

menopausal women tend to be more often affected. However, 

not only age and sex are risk factors that influence sufficient tear 

fluid production. Several life-style habits including intensive use of 

smartphones or tablets, cigarette smoking, wearing long-term contact 

lenses, air condition etc. affect the health of our eyes [19]. Compared 

to age-related loss in bone mass, which is serious but not accompanied 

by any symptoms or daily impairments, or wrinkle formation, 

which one might accept as normal outer signs of ageing, the condition 

of dry eyes is associated with uncomfortable symptoms like stinging, 

itching, blurred vision or sensitivity to light impairing the daily wellbeing. 

Referring to eye health, MBE has been examined in several 

pre-clinical and clinical studies. Excessive light exposure can induce 

production of high amounts of ROS in the retina, including free radicals. 

In cell-based studies, the antioxidant capacity of maqui berry 

extract protected murine photoreceptor cells from light-induced cell 

death [20]. In an open design pilot study, intake of 30 mg or 60 mg 

MaquiBright ® for 30 days caused signifi cant activation of tear fluid 

production and relieve from discomfort related to dry eyes as assessed 

by the Dry Eye-Related Quality-of-Life Score questionnaire [21]. In 

a follow up randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study with 

74 participants, these findings were confirmed with increased tear 

fluid production. Importantly, the subjective perception of well-being 

significantly improved after four weeks of 60 mg daily MaquiBright ® 

intake [22]. 

Mental well-being and cognitive performance 

Apart from the maqui berry extract, Anklam Extrakt GmbH produces 

further high quality extracts suitable for nutritional supplements 

that support the overall well-being and healthy ageing. Lemon balm 

(Melissa officinalis L.) is well known for its traditional use to support 

overall relaxation and to aid falling asleep. In addition, it is used 

against functional gastrointestinal complaints. Lemon balm thus 

appears ideal for the challenge of today’s daily stress, which might 

not only keep us awake at night but may also hit the stomach. 



Lemon balm is a perennial herb native to the 

Mediterranean region of Southern Europe 

and nowadays naturalised worldwide. The 

plant grows to a height of 30 to 125 cm and its 

leaves are broadly ovate or heart-shaped and 

emit a fragrant lemon odour when bruised. 

The major characteristic constituents are 

the hydroxycinnamic acids (rosmarinic [up 

to 6 %], p-coumaric, caffeic and chlorogenic 

acids), and an essential oil (0.02-0.37 %) 

composed of more than 40 % monoterpenes 

and more than 35 % sesquiterpenes. Other 

constituents include flavonoids, tannins and 

acidic triterpenes [23,24]. Its tranquilizing 

effects are presumably due to an inhibition of 

the transaminase degrading gamma-aminobutyric 

acid (GABA). Brain levels of GABA, 

a mainly inhibitory neurotransmitter, are 

increased consequently and GABA receptors 

are stimulated. Moreover, stimulation 

of the acetyl cholinergic transmitter system 

associated with an enhancement of memory 

and cognitive function has been reported 

[24]. To evaluate the physiological relevance 

of these molecular findings for our everyday 

life, the efficacy of an aqueous lemon 

balm extract in food products (drinks and 

yoghurt) was examined in one pilot and two 

behavioural studies in healthy adults. The 

latter ones were designed as randomised, 

placebo-controlled, balanced crossover 

studies to examine the effects of lemon 

balm extract on the mood, stress-level and 

also cognitive function. The data support the 

notion that lemon balm extract supplementation 

in food reduces levels of anxiety and 

stress, also associated with reduced cortisol 

levels. In addition, cognitive performance 

as assessed for instance by a multi-tasking 

framework of four simultaneous tasks was 

enhanced [25]. In a prospective open label 

study, 20 stressed volunteers reported 

signifi cant improvement of anxiety-related 

symptoms as well as insomnia after 15 days 

treatment with a hydroalcoholic standardised 

lemon balm extract. Anxiety and associated 

symptoms, and insomnia at baseline 

and post-treatment were assessed by means 

of the Free Rating Scale of Anxiety (FRSA) 

and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression 

(HRSD), respectively. Lemon balm 

extract reduced the overall anxiety manifestation, 

including agitation, hyperactivity and 

tension, by 18 %. Insomnia was clinically 

significant improved with 17 participants 

reaching even full remission of symptoms 

within 15 days of treatment [26]. 

To further support the cognitive function, 

Anklam Extrakt GmbH offers an extract 

produced from the aerial immature (green) 

parts of common oat (Avena sativa L.): cognitaven 

® . Oat as a meadow grass is an annual 

herbaceous plant growing to a height of 60 

to 150 cm. The blooming period is June to 

August and oat grain is harvested in late 

August. For cognitaven ® the fresh green part 

(leafs, stems, panicles) are harvested shortly 

before full bloom in the milky stage. Characteristic 

components of Avena sativa L. green 

herb harvested before flowering are polysaccharides, 

e. g. beta-glucan, and sugars 

like saccharose, as well as the N-containing 

carboxylic acids avenic acid A and B. Another 

group of components are the glycosylated 

steroidal saponins, like avenacoside A and 

B. Other constituents include flavonoids, for 

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instance vitexin derivatives [27]. Extracts and tinctures of green oat 

have long been used to support the mental health. Indeed, extracts of 

Avena sativa L. have been implicated to modulate human brain function 

by interaction with neurotransmitter systems, since the enzymes 

monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE-4) 

were inhibited by green oat extracts in in vitro bioactivity assays 

[27]. The effects of the green oat extract cognitaven ® on cognitive 

performance were recently examined in a randomised, double-blind, 

placebo-controlled study in 126 healthy volunteers (35-65 years). 

Besides the acute effects of single dose cognitaven ® intake also the 

effects of chronic supplementation of 430 mg, 860 mg, or 1290 mg 

cognitaven ® for 29 days have been assessed. Working memory and 

multitasking were assessed in several computer-based tests. The 

results impressively show, that the acute intake of 1290 mg cognitaven 

® improves significantly the working memory from the first day 

of supplementation as assessed by the Corsi Blocks working memory 

task. This improvement in working memory performance was also 

achieved by a chronic intake of the lowest dose of 430 mg cognitaven 

for 29 days [28]. Our modern life often forces us to do several things 

at the same time. This multitasking ability is increasingly considered 

a basic requirement in the 21 st century to cope with the ever-accelerating 

daily life. In this context, cognitaven ® intake was shown to 

improve the multitasking performance. In the acute setting intake of 

the highest dose of 1290 mg cognitaven ® achieved significant effects, 

while in the chronic setting after 29 days of cognitaven ® intake also 

the lowest dose of 430 mg cognitaven ® was sufficient [28]. 

These findings support an intake of a higher dose of cognitaven ® 

in acute stress situations that require our full concentration and the 

ability to multitask. For the support of cognitive function in current 

daily life the intake of 430 mg once to three times a day would be 

recommended from the results of the study. 

Support your immune function 

Ageing concerns the whole body and all organ systems. Therefore, 

it is not surprising that also our immune system undergoes distinct 

changes and functional remodelling with increasing age. The term 

“immunosenescence” refers to the age-related decrease of the 

immune function and the associated increased susceptibility to infectious 

diseases in the elderly. As already outlined above, elderly often 

exhibit chronic low-grade inflammation defined as a higher baseline 

of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the circulation. Of note, chronic 

stress reduces various immune functional capacities [6]. Thus, in 

terms of healthy ageing, support of the immune system also desires 

attention. One of the best-known plant preparations for this purpose 

is pressed juice from purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) 

Moench). Purple coneflower is an herbaceous, drought-tolerant 

perennial plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae) growing in moist to 

dry prairies and open wooded areas of the Eastern and Central North 

America. Already, the Native American tribes used plant preparations 

of coneflower, or just short Echinacea, for cold symptoms, like 

coughs or sore throats, and as a pain medication, e. g. for toothaches. 

Photo © : Adobe Stock/luengo_ua 

A meta-analy sis of 14 randomised placebocontrolled 

trials that evaluated Echinaceacontaining 

products in the prevention and/or 

treatment of the common cold summarised 

unequivocal beneficial effects. Echinacea 

decreased the duration of a cold by 1.4 

days. Importantly, Echinacea decreased also 

the odds of contracting a cold by 58 %. Of 

note, due to the heterogeneity of the studies, 

the agreement among the studies on the 

general benefit of Echinacea was clear but 

not the magnitude of the effect [29]. Later 

on, another meta-analysis examined six 

randomised placebo controlled trials of high 

quality. Schapowal et al. concluded that 

preparations of Echinacea are suitable for the 

long-term management of recurrent infections 

of the respiratory tract as Echinacea 

compared to placebo reduced the risk for 

infections. Especially people with lowered 

immune function and higher susceptibility 

to infections would benefit most according to 

their study. Importantly, the authors reported 

a good safety profile with no biochemical or 

haematological parameters affected after 

four months Echinacea consumption [30]. 

In view of these findings, Echinacea preparations 

appear as a great support to counteract 

an impaired immune function in the 

context of healthy ageing. 

No fountain of youth but high quality 

plant extracts 

Returning to the motif of the fountain of 

youth, it is evident, that true rejuvenation by 

consumption of food supplements remains 



just a pleasant imagination. Nevertheless, 

plant-based extracts are clearly useful to 

maintain the overall well-being and to stay 

healthy. For a holistic concept to support 

healthy ageing, Anklam Extrakt GmbH offers 

several high quality plant extracts and preparations. 

With Delphinol ® and MaquiBright ® , 

you support the overall antioxidant capacity 

of your body’s cells and maintain the health 

of bones, skin and eyes. For the mental well-being and to keep the 

pace with today’s sometimes challenging stressful life cognitaven ® 

and lemon balm extract provide aid to overcome stressful situations 

and allow you to find restful sleep and relaxation. Not the least, 

Echinacea dried pressed juice is a well-known immune function 

supporting plant preparation and also available from Anklam Extrakt 

GmbH. Whether as a single ingredient or in combination – with these 

plant extracts, optimal nutritional supplements can be created for 

every lifestyle. 

References 

[1] Marsman D, Belsky DW, Gregori D, Johnson MA, Low 

Dog T, Meydani S, et al. Healthy ageing: the natural consequences 

of good nutrition-a conference report. Eur J Nutr 

2018;57:15–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018- 

1723-0. 

[2] World Health Organization (WHO). Decade of healthy 

ageing: Baseline report. 2021. 

[3] Gilbert SF. Aging: The Biology of Senescence. Developmental 

Biology 6 th Edition 2000. 

[4] Campisi J, Kapahi P, Lithgow GJ, Melov S, Newman JC, 

Verdin E. From discoveries in ageing research to therapeutics 

for healthy ageing. Nature 2019;571:183–92. https:// 

doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1365-2. 

[5] Turner KJ, Vasu V, Griffin DK. Telomere Biology and 

Human Phenotype. Cells 2019;8. https://doi.org/10.3390/ 

cells8010073. 

[6] Xu W, Wong G, Hwang YY, Larbi A. The untwining of 

immunosenescence and aging. Semin Immunopathol 

2020;42:559–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-020- 

00824-x. 

[7] Birben E, Sahiner UM, Sackesen C, Erzurum S, Kalayci 

O. Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense. World 

Allergy Organ J 2012;5:9–19. https://doi.org/10.1097/ 

WOX.0b013e3182439613. 

[8] Watson RR, Schönlau F. Nutraceutical and antioxidant 

effects of a delphinidin-rich maqui berry extract 

Delphinol ® : a review. Minerva Cardioangiol 2015;63:1–12. 

[9] Lang S. Delphinol ® – Antioxidant power from an exceptional 

Patagonian fruit. Wellness Foods & Supplements 

2019;2:2-5. 

[10] Rittié L, Fisher GJ. Natural and sun-induced 

aging of human skin. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 

2015;5:a015370. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect. 

a015370. 

[11] Rinnerthaler M, Bischof J, Streubel MK, Trost A, Richter 

K. Oxidative Stress in Aging Human Skin. Biomolecules 

2015;5:545–89. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom5020545. 

[12] Shimizu N, Yamada W, Miyasaka K, Shimoda H. 

Ameliorating Effects of Delphinol ® , Anthocyanin Standardized 

Maqui Berry Extract, on Skin Brightness and Redness 

in Japanese Females: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo- 

Controlled Pilot Study. JCDSA 2020;10:149–62. https://doi. 

org/10.4236/jcdsa.2020.104017. 

[13] Addor FAS, Cotta Vieira J, Abreu Melo CS. Improvement 

of dermal parameters in aged skin after oral use 

of a nutrient supplement. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 

2018;11:195–201. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S150269. 

[14] Afaq F, Syed DN, Malik A, Hadi N, Sarfaraz S, Kweon 

M-H, et al. Delphinidin, an anthocyanidin in pigmented 

fruits and vegetables, protects human HaCaT keratinocytes 

and mouse skin against UVB-mediated oxidative 

stress and apoptosis. J Invest Dermatol 2007;127:222–32. 

https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jid.5700510. 

[15] Rowe P, Koller A, Sharma S. Physiology, Bone Remodeling. 

StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls 

Publishing; 2021. 

[16] Almeida M. Aging and oxidative stress: A new look at old bone. IBMS BoneKEy 

2010;7:340–52. 

[17] Moriwaki S, Suzuki K, Muramatsu M, Nomura A, Inoue F, Into T, et al. Delphinidin, one of 

the major anthocyanidins, prevents bone loss through the inhibition of excessive osteoclastogenesis 

in osteoporosis model mice. PLoS One 2014;9:e97177. https://doi.org/10.1371/ 

journal.pone.0097177. 

[18] Nagaoka M, Maeda T, Chatani M, Handa K, Yamakawa T, Kiyohara S, et al. A Delphinidin-Enriched 

Maqui Berry Extract Improves Bone Metabolism and Protects against Bone 

Loss in Osteopenic Mouse Models. Antioxidants 2019;8:386. https://doi.org/10.3390/ 

antiox8090386. 

[19] Gayton JL. Etiology, prevalence, and treatment of dry eye disease. Clin Ophthalmol 

2009;3:405–12. https://doi.org/10.2147/opth.s5555. 

[20] Tanaka J, Kadekaru T, Ogawa K, Hitoe S, Shimoda H, Hara H. Maqui berry (Aristotelia 

chilensis) and the constituent delphinidin glycoside inhibit photoreceptor cell death 

induced by visible light. Food Chem 2013;139:129–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.01.036. 

[21] Hitoe S, Tanaka J, Shimoda H. MaquiBright TM standardized maqui berry extract significantly 

increases tear fluid production and ameliorates dry eye-related symptoms in a 

clini cal pilot trial. Panminerva Med 2014;56:1–6. 

[22] Yamashita S-I, Suzuki N, Yamamoto K, Iio S-I, Yamada T. Effects of MaquiBright ® 

on improving eye dryness and fatigue in humans: A randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled 

trial. J Tradit Complement Med 2019;9:172–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. 

jtcme.2018.11.001. 

[23] Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Assessment report on Melissa officinalis 

L., folium (EMA/HMPC/196746/2012). European Medicines Agency 2013:1–20. 

[24] Shakeri A, Sahebkar A, Javadi B. Melissa officinalis L. - A review of its traditional 

uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol 2016;188:204–28. https://doi. 

org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010. 

[25] Scholey A, Gibbs A, Neale C, Perry N, Ossoukhova A, Bilog V, et al. Anti-stress effects 

of lemon balm-containing foods. Nutrients 2014;6:4805–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ 

nu6114805. 

[26] Cases J, Ibarra A, Feuillère N, Roller M, Sukkar SG. Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. 

leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders 

and sleep disturbances. Med J Nutrition Metab 2011;4:211–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/ 

s12349-010-0045-4. 

[27] Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Assessment report on Avena sativa 

L., herba and Avena sativa L., fructus (EMEA/HMPC/202967/2007). European Medicines 

Agency 2008:1–21. 

[28] Kennedy DO, Bonnländer B, Lang SC, Pischel I, Forster J, Khan J, et al. Acute and 

Chronic Effects of Green Oat (Avena sativa) Extract on Cognitive Function and Mood during 

a Laboratory Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 

Study in Healthy Humans. Nutrients 2020;12:1598. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061598. 

[29] Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI. Evaluation of echinacea for 

the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis 

2007;7:473–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3. 

[30] Schapowal A, Klein P, Johnston SL. Echinacea reduces the risk of recurrent respiratory 

tract infections and complications: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Adv 

Ther 2015;32:187–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-015-0194-4. 


Dr. Annette Masuch, 

Regulatory Affairs & Project Manager, 

Anklam Extrakt GmbH 

Annette.Masuch@anklam-extrakt.de 

www.anklam-extrakt.de 


15

Venous health 

Photo © : Adobe Stock/Kateryna_Kon 

Pycnogenol ® for strong and healthy veins 

Dr. Franziska Weichmann 

When blood cannot be pumped out of the legs anymore, painful 

swellings, itching, heaviness and skin changes (skin discoloration, 

varicose veins or ulcers) can occur. This condition is called chronic 

venous insufficiency (CVI) and can result from damaged valves in the 

leg veins that are supposed to work against gravity to keep blood from 

flowing back down, leading to collected blood pools in the veins. The 

impairment of the valves can occur by simple weakening or – more 

commonly – can follow a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that is a consequence 

of a blood clot in the leg veins (1). The leading risk factors for 

venous insufficiency and thrombosis are female gender (in connection 

with number of child births, hormonal contraception and menopause), 

age above 50 years, obesity (BMI over 25), family history of 

chronic venous diseases (CVDs), smoking, physical inactivity, as well 

as long periods of standing or sitting (2). 15 % to 20 % of the population 

suffer from chronic venous insufficiency (3). 

has been shown to counteract vein insufficiency 

and thrombosis by normalizing blood 

flow (17-19), platelet function (20-22) and 

microcirculation (23-27) and to relieve veins 

by improving endothelial function (28-34). 

Pycnogenol ® French maritime pine bark extract as part of a healthier 

lifestyle may significantly contribute to the improvement of venous 

health. An ever-increasing number of clinical studies demonstrate the 

efficacy of Pycnogenol ® for strong and healthy veins and show beneficial 

effects particularly in CVI (risk-) patients (4-16). Pycnogenol ® 


Venous health 

Pycnogenol ® prevents leg swellings 

and restores dermal blood perfusion 

One of the first symptoms of CVI are swollen 

legs and feet (so called leg edema), which 

is increased after prolonged standing, during 

warm weather or at the end of the day (3). 

But even healthy people can suffer from 

swollen legs on hot days, after prolonged 

times of reduced mobility or during menstruation 

or pregnancy. 

Pycnogenol ® showed to potently support 

venous health and prevents swellings in 

healthy people and those, suffering from 

CVI (4-16). 

Swollen legs are a typical sign after long 

flights. Pycnogenol ® was shown to reduce 

leg swelling compared to placebo after 

7–12-hour flights in subjects with mild to 

moderate risk for thrombosis. The ankle 

circumference was increased by 11 % in 

the placebo and by 6 % in the Pycnogenol ® 

group (4). Another study including healthy 

and high-risk thrombosis subjects, taking 

long-haul flights could show a significantly 

lower edema score, reduced ankle swelling 

and less leg pain in people supplemented 

with Pycnogenol ® compared to control 

subjects and partici pants, who used specific 

compression stockings (5). 

A double-blind, placebo controlled study 

clearly showed that Pycnogenol ® supplementation 

for 2 months significantly relieved 

pain (–64 %), swelling (–64 %) and heaviness 

(–54 %) in the legs of CVI patients compared to placebo (–18 %, 

–7 % and –3 %, respectively) (6). Patients with severe venous hypertension 

and history of venous ulcerations showed significant improvements 

regarding edema, limb restlessness, pain, swelling, and skin 

discoloration after regularly taking Pycnogenol ® for 8 weeks (7). 

The efficacy of Pycnogenol ® in controlling symptoms of patients 

with severe, long-lasting venous insufficiency was evaluated in an 

8-weeks summer study (8). In this study, the effect of Pycnogenol ® 

was compared to compression stockings and showed that 

Pycnogenol ® was more effective in decreasing ankle swelling and 

improving dermal blood perfusion compared to elastic compression. 

The most effective measurement in this study was the combination 

of compression stockings and Pycnogenol ® , leading to a reduction 

of 38 % of ankle swelling and an improvement of 61 % of skin flux. 

Three different clinical scores were used to assess the symptoms 

of CVI and it was shown that Pycnogenol ® significantly relieves the 

severity of CVI and the disability associated with it. In another similar 

study, Pycnogenol ® was shown to be more effective than compression 

stockings, decreasing edema by 35 %, whereas compression 

stockings lowered swelling by only 13 % in a comparable control 

group (9). 

Several other comparative investigations demonstrated that 

Pycnogenol ® is more efficacious on symptoms of CVI than other 

pro ducts or potentiates the efficacy in combination with them 

(10-13). 96 % of CVI patients taking Pycnogenol ® in addition to the 

flavonoid troxerutin, were symptom-free after 60 days of supplementation, 

compared to 80 % in the control-troxerutin-only group (10). 

In another 4-week study, Pycnogenol ® was shown to be significantly 

more effective for lowering leg swelling than a horse chestnut seed 

extract (Venostasin ® ) which showed non-significant edema relief (11). 

Compared to a combination of diosmin and hesperidin (Daflon ® ), 

supplementation with Pycnogenol ® was shown to be more effective 

on the reduction of ankle swelling and edema with a total symptom 

reduction of –60% with Pycnogenol ® and –36 % with Daflon ® after 

8 weeks (12). 


17

Venous health 

Another product that was compared to the effects of Pycnogenol ® on 

symptoms of CVI patients was an extract of grape leaves (Antistax ® ) 

(13). Ankle swelling and dermal blood perfusion were significantly 

more improved after 8 weeks of Pycnogenol ® supplementation in 

comparison with grape leaf extract supplementation. A 12-month 

registry study investigated the effects of 9 different products on 

the symptoms of venous insufficiency (14). Pycnogenol ® , oxerutine 

(Venoruton ® ), troxerutin, the complex of diosmin and hesperidin 

(Daflon ® ), Antistax ® , bilberry extract (Mirtoselect ® ), escin, and the 

combination of Venoruton ® and Pycnogenol ® were compared with 

elastic compression. 

The best results regarding edema decrease were observed with elastic 

compression, Pycnogenol ® , Venoruton ® and the combination thereof. 

A very common condition that develops during pregnancy are varicose 

veins, which can occur from weakened or damaged valves in 

the veins. A 12-month study with women presenting with varicose 

veins after their second pregnancy compared the use of compression 

stockings alone or in combination with Pycnogenol ® supplementation 

(16). Signs and symptoms such as heavy legs, pain while 

standing, restless legs and bruises were all significantly decreased 

when co-supplementing with Pycnogenol ® in comparison to use of 

compression only. Cramps and vein areas, as well as the percentage 

of symptom-free subjects were decreased more importantly after 

Pycnogenol ® intake as well. 

Normalized platelet activity and reduction of 

thrombotic complications 

Blood platelet activation and aggregation can lead to the formation of 

a blood clot and possibly to deep venous thrombosis. 

In a 6-year follow-up, different managements regarding the development 

of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and recurrent deep venous 

thrombosis (r-DVT) were evaluated in patients after a deep venous 

thrombosis (17). Post thrombotic syndrome is a potential long-term 

complication of deep venous thrombosis with symptoms of venous 

insufficiency such as leg pain, leg heaviness, limb swelling, ulcers or 

skin discoloration (35). The effects of Pycnogenol ® supplementation 

in combination with elastic compression were compared to compression 

only, compression together with Aspirin, Ticlopidine and Sulodexide 

supplementation. Pycnogenol ® showed the safest and most 

effective results, particularly for post-thrombotic syndrome. 

compression stockings for one year led to a 

reduction of the venous pressure of 12.8 %. 

Regarding edema and thrombosis-related 

symptoms (pain, restless limbs, subjective 

swelling, skin alterations), Pycnogenol ® was 

found to provide greater relief than compression 

stockings. The results again point to 

an even better symptom relief after wearing 

compression stockings and supplementing 

with Pycnogenol ® in addition. A 12-month 

study on retinal vein thrombosis could 

show that Pycnogenol ® supplementation 

decreased the occurrence of retinal edema 

and the incidence of new retinal vein thrombosis 

more importantly than Aspirin (19). 

Pycnogenol ® showed to lower blood platelet 

aggregation by increasing the production of 

endothelial NO (20, 22). In healthy smoking 

individuals, who have pathologically 

increased blood platelet activity, Pycnogenol ® 

has been shown to reduce platelet aggregation 

to the level of non-smokers after supplementation 

with Pycnogenol ® for 2 months 

(20). However, normal platelet function 

was not further decreased in healthy nonsmokers. 

A double-blind placebo-controlled 

study with cardiovascular patients taking 

aspirin confirmed that Pycnogenol ® intake 

does not further decrease platelet activity 

(21). 

In another study, Pycnogenol ® prevented 

platelet hyperactivity in heavy smokers but 

did not influence bleeding time, as compared 

to a group taking aspirin, in which the time 

of bleeding was significantly increased from 

167 to 236 seconds (22). 

In addition, Pycnogenol ® supplementation showed to significantly 

decrease the occurrence of recurrent deep vein thrombosis 

by 66 % after 6 years. Another one-year study on post thrombotic 

syndrome investigated the differences in efficiency between 

Pycnogenol ® supplementation and compression stockings in individuals 

who suffered a single episode of deep vein thrombosis (18). 

In these patients, venous pressure was reduced by 8.6 % after one 

year of Pycnogenol ® supplementation, compared to a reduction of 

6.8 % with only compression. The combination of Pycnogenol ® and 


Venous health 

Improved microcirculation 

Impaired valves in the legs of CVI patients 

cause venous stasis leading to high venous 

pressure. Microcirculatory capillaries can’t 

tolerate high hydrostatic pressure and the 

resulting dysfunctional microcirculation can 

contribute to tissue damage and ulceration 

(36-38). 

Pycnogenol ® has been shown to improve 

the microcirculation perfusion system (14, 

23-27). In several clinical studies the levels 

of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the tissues 

under the skin, the diameter of micro vessels 

in fingernails, as well as the blood flow 

velocity were measured to investigate the 

effects of Pycnogenol ® on microcirculation 

in patients with microangiopathy resulting 

from chronic artery diseases, diabetes or 

chronic venous insufficiency (23-27). The 

increase in diameter of micro vessels at the 

fingertips was much higher in Pycnogenol ® 

supplemented patients than in the control 

group, all suffering from a coronary artery 

disease (23). Patients with diabetic microangiopathy, 

who took Pycnogenol ® for 6 weeks 

had better oxygenized tissues, whereas 

the carbon dioxide levels were decreased 

compared with control patients (24). 

This study suggested that Pycnogenol ® 

can counteract enhanced capillary filtration 

leaking by improving microcirculation. 

Another measure for capillary leaking 

is the rate of ankle swelling, which was 

significantly reduced after supplementation 

with Pycnogenol ® in diabetic patients with 

microangiopathy (27). Furthermore, in a 

12-month comparative study, Pycnogenol ® 

was shown to significantly improve microcirculation 

by 43 %, decrease the edema score 

by 53 % and improve oxygen (+13 %) and 

carbon dioxide levels (–10 %) in patients with 

moderate to severe signs and symptoms of 

CVI, outperforming seven other venoactive 

products (14). 

Improved endothelial function 

One of the key properties of Pycnogenol ® 

is its effect on endothelial health (28-34). 

The most important vascular mediator and 

major cardiovascular signaling molecule in 

the endothelium, is the nitric oxide (NO). NO 

contributes to optimal blood flow by relaxing 

blood vessel walls, when necessary, for a 

more fluid blood flow. In addition, NO helps 

prevent blood platelet aggregation, thus 

reducing the risk of thrombosis (39). Aging 

or conditions such as hypertension, athero- 

Pycnogenol ® supplementation in combination 

with local application showed to 

support microcirculation and the healing 

of venous ulcers in CVI patients. Oxygenation, 

detoxification and nutrient supply were 

improved after taking Pycnogenol ® , leading 

to reduced ulcer size by 88 % in 6 weeks, 

compared to a reduction of 69 % in control 

patients (25). A healthy microcirculation is 

tightly connected to vascular permeability 

and capillary filtration. Pycnogenol ® was 

demonstrated to improve retinal microcirculation 

and to help capillary filtration and 

the resulting edema in a clinical study with 

diabetic patients suffering from retinopathy 

(26). Retinal edema, assessed by measuring 

the retinal thickness, was signifi cantly 

reduced in patients taking Pycnogenol ® . 

Trusted Science 

GELITA AG 

Uferstr. 7 

69412 Eberbach 

Germany 

www.gelita.com

Venous health 

sclerosis or diabetes may negatively affect the endothelium’s ability 

to produce NO, and the responsiveness of blood vessels to NO may 

decline too (40, 41). This results in endothelial dysfunction, which in 

turn impairs blood flow, and increases the risk for thrombosis. 

Pycnogenol ® was shown to enhance endothelial NO generation 

from the precursor molecule L-arginine by stimulation endothelial 

NO synthase (eNOS), leading to an improved endothelial function 

(28, 29). In addition, it was observed that a certain metabolite of 

Pycnogenol ® is enriched endothelial cells by facilitated uptake and 

can thus exert its anti-inflammatory effects directly in the endothelium 

(30). 

In patients with coronary artery disease, the effect of Pycnogenol ® 

on endothelial function was assessed by measuring the flow-mediated 

dilatation of the brachial artery (the widening of the artery in 

response to elevations in blood flow-associated shear stress) (31). 

This 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover 

study showed that endothelial function was improved by 32 % in 

the Pycnogenol ® group, whereas it slightly decreased in the placebo 

group. 

In another double-blind placebo-controlled randomized 12-week 

study with hypertensive patients, taking the anti-hypertensive drug 

nifedipine (a calcium channel blocker), plasma markers of endothelial 

function were significantly improved in the Pycnogenol ® group 

(32). This is a clear indication of improved endothelial function. 

A third double-blind, placebo-controlled study reported similar effects 

in hypertensive patients with type II diabetes, taking an anti-hypertensive 

drug, an ACE inhibitor together with 125 mg Pycnogenol ® 

daily for 3 months (33). 

In borderline hypertensive, hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic 

patients, flow-mediated dilatation significantly improved after 8 and 

12 weeks of Pycnogenol ® supplementation (34). These studies 

confirm the beneficial effects of Pycnogenol ® 

on endothelial function. 

Pycnogenol ® French maritime pine bark 

extract is a safe, natural and evidencebased 

solution to efficiently support venous 

health. Pycnogenol ® helps to improve blood 

flow, platelet activity, microcirculation and 

endothelial function. For more information 

on how Pycnogenol ® helps support healthy 

veins, please visit www.pycnogenol.com . 

References 

1. Youn YJ, Lee J. Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose 

veins of the lower extremities. The Korean journal of 

internal medicine. 2019;34(2):269-83. 

2. Vlajinac HD, Radak ÐJ, Marinković JM, Maksimović 

MŽ. Risk factors for chronic venous disease. Phlebology. 

2012;27(8):416-22. 

3. Agrawal S, Saber W. Venous Ablation. Interv Cardiol Clin. 

2020;9(2):255-63. 

4. Cesarone MR, Belcaro,G., Rohdewald, P., L. Pellegrini, E. 

Ippolito, M. Scoccianti, A. Ricci, M. Dugall,M. Cacchio, I. 

Ruffini, F. Fano, G. Acerbi, M. G. Vinciguerra, P. Bavera, A. 

Di Renzo, B. M. Errichi, and F. Mucci. Prevention of Edema 

in Long Flights with Pycnogenol ® . Clin Appl Thrombosis/ 

Hemostasis. 2005;11(3):289-94. 

5. Belcaro G, Cornelli U, Dugall M, Hosoi M, Cotellese R, 

Feragalli B. Long-haul flights, edema, and thrombotic 

events: prevention with stockings and Pycnogenol(R) 

supplementation (LONFLIT Registry Study). Minerva Cardioangiol. 

2018;66(2):152-9. 

6. Arcangeli P. Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. 

Fitoterapia. 2000;71:236-44. 

7. Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Rohdewald P, Pellegrini L, 

Ledda A, Vinciguerra G, et al. Rapid relief of signs/symptoms 

in chronic venous microangiopathy with pycnogenol: 

a prospective, controlled study. Angiology. 2006;57(5):569- 

76. 

8. Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Agus GB, Ippolito E, Dugall M, 

Hosoi M, et al. Chronic venous insufficiency and venous 

microangiopathy: management with compression and 

Pycnogenol(R). Minerva Cardioangiol. 2019;67(4):280-7. 

9. Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Rohdewald P, Pellegrini L, 

Ledda A, Vinciguerra G, et al. Improvement of signs and 

symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and microangiopathy 

with Pycnogenol: a prospective, controlled study. 

Phytomedicine. 2010;17(11):835-9. 

10. Riccioni C, Sarcinella, R., Izzo, A., Palermo, G. and 

Liguori, L. Effectiveness of Troxerutin in association with 

Pycnogenol in the pharmacological treatment of venous 

insufficiency. Eur Bull Drug Res. 2004;12(1):7-12. 

11. Koch R. Comparative study of Venostasin and Pycnogenol 

in chronic venous insufficiency. Phytother Res. 

2002;16 Suppl 1:S1-5. 

12. Cesarone MR, Belcaro, G., Rohdewald, P., Pellegrini, L., 

Ledda, A., Vinciguerra, G., Ricci, A., Gizzi, G., Ippolito, E., 

Fano, F., Dugall, M., Acerbi, G., Cacchio M., Di Renzo, A., 

Hosoi, M., Stuard, S. and Corsi, M. Comparison of Pycnogenol 

and Daflon in Treating Chronic Venous Insufficiency: 

A prospective, Controlled study. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 

2006;12(2):205-12. 

13. Belcaro G. A Clinical Comparison of Pycnogenol, 

Antistax, and Stocking in Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Int 

J Angiol. 2015;24(4):268-74. 


Venous health 

14. Belcaro G, Dugall M, Luzzi R, Corsi M, Ledda A, Ricci A, 

et al. Management of Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous 

Insufficiency in a Comparative Registry with Nine Venoactive 

Products in Comparison with Stockings. Int J Angiol. 

2017;26(3):170-8. 

15. Gulati OP. Pycnogenol(R) in chronic venous insufficiency 

and related venous disorders. Phytother Res. 

2014;28(3):348-62. 

16. Belcaro G, Dugall M, Luzzi R, Ippolito E, Cesarone MR. 

Postpartum Varicose Veins: Supplementation with Pycnogenol 

or Elastic Compression-A 12-Month Follow-Up. Int J 

Angiol. 2017;26(1):12-9. 

17. Belcaro G, Dugall M, Hu S, Feragalli B, Cotellese R, 

Ledda A, et al. Prevention of recurrent venous thrombosis 

and post-thrombotic syndrome. Minerva Cardioangiol. 

2018;66(3):238-45. 

18. Ericchi B, Belcaro, G., Hosoi, M., Cesarone, M.R., 

Dugall, M., Feragalli, B., Grossi, M-G., Bavera, P., Hosoi, 

M., Zulli, C., Corsi, M., Ledda, A., Luzzi, R. and Ricci, A. 

Prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome with Pycnogenol ® : 

A twelve month study. Panminerva Med. 2011;53(3):21-7. 

19. Rodriguez P BG, Dugall M, Hu S, Luzzi R, Ledda A, 

Ippolito E, Corsi M, Ricci A, Feragalli B, Cornelli U, Gizzi 

C, Hosoi M Recurrence of retinal vein thrombosis with 

Pycnogenol ® or Aspirin ® supplementation: a registry study. 

Panminerva Med. 2015;57:121-5. 

20. Araghi-Niknam M, Hosseini, S, Larson, D, Rohdewald, P 

and watson, RR. Pine bark extract reduces platelet aggregation. 

Integrative Medicine. 1999;2(2/3). 

21. Enseleit F, Sudano I, Periat D, Winnik S, Wolfrum M, 

Flammer AJ, et al. Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial 

function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a 

double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over 

study. Eur Heart J. 2012;33(13):1589-97. 

22. Pütter M GK, Würthwein G, Araghi-Niknam M, Watson 

RR, Hosseini S, Rohdewald P. . Inhibition of smokinginduced 

platelet aggregation by Aspirin and Pycnogenol. 

Thrombosis Research 1999;55:155–61. 

23. Wang S, Tan D, Zhao Y, Gao G, Gao X, Hu L. The effect 

of Pycnogenol ® on the microcirculation, platelet function 

and ischaemic myocardium in patients with coronary 

artery diseases. European Bulletin of Drug Research. 

1999;7(2):19-25. 

24. Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Errichi BM, Ledda A, Di 

Renzo A, Stuard S, et al. Diabetic ulcers: microcirculatory 

improvement and faster healing with pycnogenol. Clin Appl 

Thromb Hemost. 2006;12(3):318-23. 

25. Belcaro G. LR, Dugall M., Ippolito E., Saggino A. Venous 

ulcers: Microcirculatory improvement and faster healing 

with local use of Pycnogenol ® . Angiology. 2005;56(6):699- 

705. 

26. Steigerwalt R, Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Di Renzo A, 

Grossi MG, Ricci A, et al. Pycnogenol improves microcirculation, 

retinal edema, and visual acuity in early diabetic 

retinopathy. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2009;25(6):537-40. 

27. Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Rohdewald P, Pellegrini L, Ledda A, Vinciguerra G, et al. 

Improvement of diabetic microangiopathy with pycnogenol: A prospective, controlled study. 

Angiology. 2006;57(4):431-6. 

28. Nishioka K, Hidaka T, Nakamura S, Umemura T, Jitsuiki D, Soga J, et al. Pycnogenol, 

French maritime pine bark extract, augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation in 

humans. Hypertens Res. 2007;30(9):775-80. 

29. Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of 

Pycnogenol. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1998;32(4):509-15. 

30. Uhlenhut K, Högger P. Facilitated cellular uptake and suppression of inducible nitric 

oxide synthase by a metabolite of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). Free Radic Biol 

Med. 2012;53(2):305-13. 

31. Enseleit F, Sudano I, Periat D, Winnik S, Wolfrum M, Flammer AJ, et al. Effects of Pycnogenol 

on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, 

randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Eur Heart J. 2012;33(13):1589-97. 

32. Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, Zhou S, Wurthwein G, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol, French maritime 

pine bark extract, improves endothelial function of hypertensive patients. Life Sci. 

2004;74(7):855-62. 

33. Zibadi S, Rohdewald PJ, Park D, Watson RR. Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in 

subjects with type 2 diabetes by Pycnogenol supplementation. Nutr Res. 2008;28(5):315- 

20. 

34. Hu S BG, Cornelli U, et al Effects of Pycnogenol ® on endothelial dysfunction in borderline 

hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, and hyperglycemic individuals: the borderline study. Int 

Angiol 2015;34(1):43-52. 

35. Kahn SR. The post-thrombotic syndrome. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 

2016;2016(1):413-8. 

36. Jünger M, Steins A, Hahn M, Häfner HM. Microcirculatory dysfunction in chronic venous 

insufficiency (CVI). Microcirculation. 2000;7(6 Pt 2):S3-12. 

37. Gschwandtner ME, Ehringer H. Microcirculation in chronic venous insufficiency. Vasc 

Med. 2001;6(3):169-79. 

38. Chwała M, Szczeklik W, Szczeklik M, Aleksiejew-Kleszczyński T, Jagielska-Chwała M. 

Varicose veins of lower extremities, hemodynamics and treatment methods. Adv Clin Exp 

Med. 2015;24(1):5-14. 

39. Strijdom H, Chamane N, Lochner A. Nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system: a simple 

molecule with complex actions. Cardiovasc J Afr. 2009;20(5):303-10. 

40. Sowers JR, Epstein M. Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Hypertension, Vascular Disease, 

and Nephropathy. Hypertension. 1995;26(6):869-79. 

41. Mudau M, Genis A, Lochner A, Strijdom H. Endothelial dysfunction: the early predictor of 

atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc J Afr. 2012;23(4):222-31. 

For more information, please visit 

www.pycnogenol.com 

Author: Dr. Franziska Weichmann, 

Manager of Scientific Communications 

and Product Development at 

Horphag Research. 


21


Photo © : Pixabay/Nat Aggiato 

Botanical extracts for healthy ageing 

An increasingly ageing global population can be attributed, in 

part, to health-conscious consumers playing closer attention 

to good nutritional habits. When it comes to healthy eating, 

the Mediterranean diet has a very strong evidence-based 

reputation, with edible plants that grow in the region playing 

a key role. Wellness Foods & Supplements talks to Andrea 

Zangara, Head of Scientific Communications & Marketing at 

Euromed, about plant extracts and their supportive effects in 

healthy ageing. Euromed has in its portfolio a range of highly 

pure and effective natural concentrates from Mediterranean 

fruits and vegetables, and this has recently been expanded 

with the addition of a new extract. 

The Mediterranean diet serves as inspiration for your 

wide range of botanical extracts. Why is this? 

With a global population living longer and longer, preventive 

approaches are crucial. That's why we developed Mediteanox, 

Pomanox and Cynamed natural extracts, inspired by the documented 

health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Advancing age is a 

major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, due 

to a combination of increased blood pressure, inflammation, reduced 

antioxidant capacity and dyslipidemia. However, disturbed gut flora is 

also an important contributory factor in premature ageing. Research 

has shown that the Mediterranean dietary pattern is able to counteract 

these problems, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and 

metabolic diseases. 

What benefits do Euromed’s natural extracts offer for 

healthy ageing, and what is the supporting evidence? 

We have several applications that support healthy ageing. Mediteanox ® , 

for example, is a natural olive concentrate containing hydroxytyrosol 

(HT), which has been shown to have heart-friendly properties recognised 

by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (1). 

With its high hydroxytyrosol content, Mediteanox ® has been clinically 

shown to reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol, support a healthy 

cardiovascular system and help control blood pressure. In-house and 

published human studies with Mediteanox ® indicate modulation of 

oxidative and inflammatory markers (2, 3). It offers the documented 

cardiovascular benefits of olive oil in a convenient and concentrated 

dosage form. And this is where another patented extract 

from Euromed comes in, also inspired by the Mediterranean diet. 

Pomanox ® is a full-spectrum polyphenol pomegranate extract standardised 

to naturally high levels of punicalagins, with clinically proven 

benefits for healthy ageing. Its phenolic profile is comparable to that 

of whole fruit or pure fruit juice, but without the calories. Several 

human studies have documented the efficacy of Pomanox ® (as an 

extract and extract-enriched juice) in consistently lowering blood 

pressure, suggesting that it may also support cardiovascular health. 

A preclinical study with Pomanox ® by the Catalan Institute of Cardiovascular 

Sciences clearly demonstrated that pomegranate polyphenol 

metabolites increase the synthesis of endothelial nitric oxide 

synthase, which promotes the restoration of endothelial vasodilation, 

preventing and delaying endothelial dysfunction caused by general 

inflammation and arterial stiffness. (4) This water-soluble extract is 

ideal for use in dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetics and 

pharmaceuticals. It comes from carefully controlled cultivations in 

Spain and is extracted using proprietary Pure-Hydro Process technology, 

which uses osmotised water as the sole extraction solvent. 



In addition, supplementation with Pomanox ® and Mediteanox ® may 

act synergistically to improve endothelial function, promote healthy 

blood lipid levels and reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol (5). Other 

evidence-based health benefits of Pomanox ® from published and 

unpublished studies include improved athletic performance and 

recovery, reduced hair loss, better cognition and mood, as well as 

increased beneficial intestinal flora. 

Speaking of intestinal health – research shows that the gut 

also plays a major role in improved wellbeing. Are there 

other products in your range that support a healthy gut? 

Yes, definitely. With Cynamed we offer an extract of artichokes. It 

combines the traditional digestive and antioxidant properties of its 

phenolic compounds – caffeoylquinic acids – with inulin, a prebiotic 

soluble fibre. Artichokes are also part of the Mediterranean diet 

and help promote bacteria known to produce beneficial short-chain 

fatty acids through the fermentation of dietary fibre. The lower the 

diversity of the intestinal flora, the more pronounced the frailty in 

the elderly. Overall, there is a clear relationship between diet, gut 

microbiota and health status. Gastrointestinal complaints, food intolerances, 

dental problems, loss of taste, smell and appetite in the 

elderly are associated with nutritional deficiencies that further exacerbate 

malnutrition and frailty. Adopting the Mediterranean diet for one 

year can positively alter the microbiome of the elderly and reduce the 

release of inflammatory cytokines that are harmful to cognitive and 

other functions, promoting healthier ageing (6). With Cynamed, 

we offer a novel, holistic approach to overall digestive wellness and 

healthy ageing. 

a secondary plant substance with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory 

properties that are typical of a Mediterranean-style diet. A recently 

published clinical study of the University of Murcia, Spain, compared 

the eriocitrin-rich Wellemon extract with a hesperidin-rich orange 

extract. Our lemon extract yielded more bioavailable metabolites than 

hesperidin, which get into the blood stream more quickly and may 

therefore provide more effective health benefits (7). 

How do you procure raw materials to ensure a traceable 

supply chain from seed to finished extract, bearing in 

mind that adulteration is a key challenge of the industry? 

With the increasing demand for herbal medicines and dietary supplements, 

we are witnessing frequent reporting of undeclared ingredients 

added to herbal substances, extracts and finished products. Our 

clear commitment is to prevent product adulteration. That's why we 

only use botanicals that are verified, sustainably and properly grown, 

and harvested to preserve the integrity of the plants and bioactive 

profiles. For example, the olives for Mediteanox and the pomegranates 

for Pomanox are harvested and processed in the agriculturally 

rich region in Murcia known as the “Garden of Europe”, which 

provides easy access to botanical-origin raw materials, supports 

local agriculture and reduces the carbon footprint. Each production 

batch, from herb to finished extract, undergoes multiple laboratory 

tests for identity, potency and potential impurities to ensure the 

highest standards. From botanical macro- and micro-identification 

to control of active ingredients and potential impurities, to chromatographic 

analysis, we comprehensively test botanical raw materials. 

Our PhytoProof ® seal allows brand owners to highlight the reliable 

origin and quality of botanical raw materials on their finished products. 

It confirms that Euromed ingredients are unadulterated and 

contain no unwanted impurities. 

References 

1) Off. J. Eur. Union 2012, 13, 22. 

2) Ramirez-Tortosa C, et al. Antioxidants 2019, 8 (9), 393. 

3) Di Renzo L, et al. Biomedicine & Prevention (2017) - vol. 1 - (92). 

4) Vilahur G, et al. Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed). (2015) 68(3):216-25. 

Health and Beyond Ed. Dilip Ghosh (2020); Academic Press, Elsevier. ISBN: 9780128205938. 

5) Quirós-Fernández R, et al. Nutrients (2019), 11, 640. 

6) Ghosh TS, et al. Gut 2020;0:1–11. 

7) Avila-Galvez M. et al. (2021): New Insights into the Metabolism of the Flavanones 

Eriocitrin and Hesperidin: A Comparative Human Pharmacokinetic Study. University of Murcia 

Photo © : Pixabay/Jacqueline Macou 

Do you offer any new botanicals with promising market 

potential? 

Absolutely, we are constantly working on new solutions and have 

recently launched another promising product. Wellemon is the 

new lemon-based, botanical ingredient in our range of Mediterranean 

fruits and vegetables extracts. Lemons are a rich source of eriocitrin – 


Andrea Zangara 

Head of Scientific Communications & 

Marketing, Euromed S.A. 

azangara@euromed.es 

www.euromed.es 


23

Plant-based ingredients 

Photo © : Shutterstock/Oksana Mizina 

Laïta Nutrition affirms its strategic 

shift towards plant-based ingredients 

in the years to come 

The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated consumers' 

transition to plant-based eating. Dairy actors are at the heart 

of new strategic orientations and the nutritional and food 

transition 1 . Laïta Nutrition — the nutrition division of the 

dairy cooperative Laïta — affirms its strategic focus on plantbased 

ingredients. 

Dairy cooperative enters the plant-based beverage 

industry, and it is compatible 

In the context of a focus on increased awareness of plant-based alternatives, 

the plant-based beverage market is more promising than 

ever. Consumer interest in plant-based foods and drinks is growing. 

Consumers' eating habits are changing, and they consider plantbased 

to be of primary importance, while at the same time seeking 

health claims. 

– The market for plant-based proteins represents nearly 10 bn Euro 

in the world with an expected growth of about 7 % during the forecast 

period 2 . 

– FAO estimate 40 % increase in world 

protein demand by 2030 3 . 

– Plant-based food sales outpaced total 

retail food sales (35 % faster than total 

retail food 3 ). 

The plant-based trend is challenging for 

dairy companies. They need to reinvent 

themselves to innovate and offer new solutions 

for their customers. Laita Nutrition’s 

plant-based beverage solution unlocks 

possibilities for the clinical, child and sports 

nutrition market. This strong trend in food 

is necessarily felt in the specific markets of 

Laïta Nutrition through the rebound effect: 

protein inputs. With vegetable proteins, the 

field of possibilities is infinite (soya, lupin, 

lentils, rice, corn, hemp, etc.). Laita Nutrition 

offers a complete range designed to meet 

the specific needs of all areas of the nutrition 

and health sector, from dietary and sports 

nutrition to specialized medical and infant 


nutrition products. The difference between 

plant-based proteins is the taste and quality 

of the proteins added to the formulas. 

“We are first and foremost a dairy cooperative. 

However, we have several markets 

and our expertise in our Health Division 

is the formulation of complex products. 

We must therefore explore every 

available ingredient. So, as a formulator, 

we have developed a strong expertise to 

adapt to any ingredients. We have done a 

lot of work on the selection of raw materials, 

and we are very active on the knowledge 

of new ingredients that we could test in 

our formulas. We are able today to formulate 

many formulas containing plant-based 

proteins of many origins, maintaining a 

functional and organoleptic stability in our 

finished products.” declares Mathieu Lucot, 

Marketing Manager for Laïta Nutition. 

Thanks to many years of experience 

on powder and liquid, Laita Nutrition 

announces the expansion of its range of 

finished products based on 100 % plant 

protein. Laita Nutrition proposes new 

perspectives of innovation to satisfy all 

types of consumers. 

The know-how of Laïta Nutrition 

in its shift towards plant-based 

ingredients 

In Ploudaniel, Laïta Nutrition specialises 

in the manufacture of ready-to-eat liquid 

products. Each product is sterilised and 

then aseptically packaged, guaranteeing a 

safe, long-lasting product. 

2. Complex nutritional formulas 

Laïta Nutrition has a reinforced R&D team, 

made up of engineers and technicians, to 

produce models and prototypes of products 

containing plant-based proteins. 

The Ancenis site of Laïta Nutrition has an 

MSD drying tower, producing milk powders 

for the nutrition market. 

3. Mastering control of specific processes, 

traceability and food safety 

Laïta Nutrition controls the products, 

processes, and traceability in order to 

guaran tee the sanitary quality and food 

safety of the products. The identification 

and control of the various risks linked to 

Laïta Nutrition’s activity provides products 

that meet international safety standards. 

The industrial equipment in Créhen 

consists of a drying tower and a packaging 

workshop. This high-tech facility meets the 

highest international food safety standards: 

hygienic design, cleanability, foreign body 

risk management, etc. 

1. A strong technological expertise 

Thanks to its strong technological expertise, 

Laïta Nutrition is able to develop a 

unique manufacturing process allowing the 

company client to adapt its formulas to the 

consumers needs for plant based. 

THE NATURAL INGREDIENT 

PROVIDING COGNITIVE 

PERFORMANCE 

• clinically proven green oat herb extract 

References 

1 

Nutrikéo, transition alimentaire et nutritionnelle, 2021 

2 

Cordis, Europe’s plant-based food industry shows record-level growth, 2021 

3 

Plant Based Food Association, 2020 

• enhances cognitive function from the 

very first day of supplementation 

• significantly improves working memory 

and multitasking 


http://www.epi-ingredients.com 

or http://www.laita.com/en/ 


For further information 

send us an e-mail: 

sales@anklam-extrakt.com 

or visit our website: 

www.anklam-extrakt.com


Photo © : Adobe Stock/Sashkin 

Solutions for the fortification of food 

with mineral salts 

The fortification of foods and beverages with minerals and micronutrients 

has been practiced for a long time. The supply with a 

sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins via a normal diet is in 

certain life stages and living conditions not possible. Particularly 

an unbalanced diet poor in nutrients, various diseases or the need 

for extra nutrients such as in pregnancy can lead to symptoms of 

deficiency. For that reason, fortified foods and food supplements 

became part of the daily food to avoid deficiencies. 

Fortifying food 

The easiest possible way to fortify foods or beverages with minerals, 

like Calcium, Iron, Magnesium or Zinc, is the simply addition of 

the fortifying agent. Flour, for example, can be fortified with Iron by 

adding ferric pyrophosphate. 

However, simply blending foods with minerals is not always feasible. 

Interactions between food ingredients and added mineral salts can 

also take place. This is mainly due to the complex structure of food. 

Influencing factors of a mineral salt regarding its feasibility to fortify 

foods are e.g. solubility, reactivity, taste, metal content and the particle 

size. To overcome these obstacles, Dr. Paul Lohmann ® offers several 

techniques and products with improved product properties. This 

includes the adaptation of chemical and physical parameters such 

as bulk density, solubility, particle size, purity or pH-value. 

Enhanced solubility 

The solubility of a mineral salt is a basic requirement for the fortification 

of liquid or instant powder products. 



Magnesium Citrate Malate, a new development 

of Dr. Paul Lohmann ® , is a fully 

reacted mineral, which is permitted for the 

use in food supplements in Europe since 

spring 2021. The combination of Magnesium 

with two organic acids, citric acid and 

malic acid, leads to a mineral salt with excellent 

solubility. This innovative mineral salt is 

clear soluble and stable in solution. Comparable 

products are not stable in solution over 

storage time or are even insoluble. 

Micronization 

Micronized mineral salts are suitable for 

use in foods as well as in food supplements. 

Mineral salts with a 

long history of use are made 

suitable for new applications 

due to the change in their 

morphology. Due to the extra 

fine particle size, micronized 

minerals improve the sensory 

properties and provide a 

higher relative surface, which may lead to an enhanced absorption 

of the active minerals. The micronization step of a mineral salt has 

several advantages, such as improved dispersibility or less sedimentation. 

Sedimentation 

The use of insoluble mineral salts can offer some advantages, e. g. a 

lower reactivity or a better taste profile. Micronized, insoluble mineral 

salts can be used in solid foods as well as in a suspension of liquid 

products. Water-insoluble minerals in relatively large particles easily 

form sediments in a suspension, whereas micronized particles 

remain dispersed in low viscous liquids without any sedimentation. 

This, for example, is important for an optimal homogeneity of a fortifying 

agent in fruit and vegetable juices, milk and dairy products or 

dips and sauces. Fruit juices or infant formula can be fortified with 

micronized, water-insoluble Ferric Pyrophosphate. 

Sensory properties 

Beginning with a particle size of about 50 µm, the human mouth 

senses a suspended powder as being “rough” 1 . In order to avoid an 

unpleasant mouthfeel, the use of additives with a small particle size is 

essential. For example, the fortification of cream cheese with micronized 

Tricalcium Citrate leads to a very creamy product without any 

negative side effects. 

Lipoid GmbH | info@lipoid.com | www.lipoid.com 

PHOSAL ® Curcumin – The Natural 

Choice for Bioavailable Curcuminoids 

• With highly purified phosphatidylcholine 

from sunflower lecithin for an increased 

bioavailability in a natural way. 

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Bioavailability 

The bioavailability of minerals salts is influenced by several factors 

like the anion, the solubility, and the particle size. Studies have shown 

that smaller particle sizes increase the bioavailability of Ferric Pyrophosphate 

2 . 

Microencapsulation 

In a micro-encapsulated mineral, every single particle of the product 

is coated with a thin layer of vegetable fat. Dr. Paul Lohmann ® offers 

coatings with sunflower oil, rapeseed oil or palm oil. This coating is 

achieved by a uniquely developed procedure, and provides a nearly 

complete and secure separation of the encapsulated active ingredient 

and the surrounding food or beverage. 

This enables manufacturers to fortify foods and food supplements 

with minerals, which would otherwise affect the quality of the product. 

Many Iron salts, for example, have a strong and unpleasantly metallic 

taste by nature and lead to lipid oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. 

The surrounding coating layer of the micro-encapsulated mineral 

salts provides an excellent taste masking effect, protects against fat 

oxidation and discoloration. Using a micro-encapsulated Iron salt, 

e. g. Ferrous Sulfate, offers the opportunity to manufacture Ironenriched 

products without any impairment in taste or quality. 

Granulation 

Granulated mineral salts enhance many manufacturing steps in the 

fortification of foods and food supplements. The granulation process 

enlarges the particle size by converting fine or coarse powders into 

physically strong and larger granules with uniform shape, good flow 

property, less dustiness as well as good compression characteristics. 

Granules are formed by adding a liquid solution (water with or 

without binding agent) to powders. 

Binding agents of the product line 

are maltodextrin, starch, PVP, citric 

acid and gum arabic. 

The special DC (direct compressible) 

Granules product line developed 

by Dr. Paul Lohmann ® covers 

Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and 

Zinc Salts offering lots of application 

benefits. From a production 

point of view, DC grades offer 

excellent tableting properties. Granulated DC grades solve challenges 

during the tableting process due to the physical modification. The 

use of directly compressable granu lated minerals for the tableting 

process eliminates the need of an in-house granulation process, and 

offers vast advantages in terms of production capability and cost. 

Triturations 

Trace elements like Selenium, 

Molybdenum or Iodine are 

used in very low dosages for the 

fortification of foods and beverages, 

as well as in food supplements. 

In order to ensure safe 

handling, a precise dosage and 

a homogeneous dispersion 

in the final product, Dr. Paul 

Lohmann ® offers triturations 

of trace elements (Selenium, 

Iodine, Chromium and Molybdenum) 

diluted in inert carrier 

materials such as Calcium 

Carbonate or Maltodextrin. 

References 

1 

Hinrichs, J., Krzeminski, A.: Mikro- und makrostrukturelle Matrixeigenschaften als Modulatoren 

der „Fett”-Wahrnehmung in Milchprodukten. In: Fettwahrnehmung und Sättigungsregulation: 

Ansatz zur Entwicklung fettreduzierter Lebensmittel. Forschungskreis der 

Ernährungsindustrie e.V. (FEI), 2012. 

2 

Wegmüller R., Zimmermann M.B., Moretti D., Arnold M., Langhans W., Hurrell R.F.: Particle 

size reduction and encapsulation affect the bioavailability of ferric pyrophosphate in rats. 

J Nutr. 2004 Dec;134(12):3301-4. 


Dr. Paul Lohmann GmbH & Co. KGaA 

Hauptstr. 2 

31860 Emmerthal, Germany 

sales@lohmann4minerals.com 

www.lohmann4minerals.com 



Photo © : Adobe Stock/alfaolga 

Micronutrients for the immune system: 

vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc 

Philipp Gebhardt 

The immune system protects us from 

pathogens such as bacteria, viruses 

and fungi. Various micronutrients are 

of particular importance for the functioning 

of our body’s defences. Vitamin 

A, zinc, vitamin D and magnesium are 

essential for the normal function of 

the immune system. However, there is 

often insufficient intake with food, so 

that supplementation can be useful. 

Vitamin A 

Vitamin A is the name of a group of fat-soluble 

vitamins that are contained in animal foods 

as retinols. Plant sources contain provitamin 

A as beta-carotene, that can be converted 

into vitamin A in the body.(1) Vitamin A is 

essential for our health as it is involved in 

regulating the growth and specialization 

(differentiation) of practically all cell types. 

Adequate intake is a prerequisite for various 

physiological processes such as vision, embryonic development and 

the normal function of the immune system. In developing countries, 

vitamin A deficiency is a major health problem that affects around 

a third of children. An in adequate supply of vitamin A can have a 

significantly negative impact on the course of various infectious 

diseases such as measles, tuberculosis and malaria. Vitamin A deficiency 

is one of the leading causes of preventable cases of blindness 

worldwide, especially in children and women of childbearing age. A 

deficiency in the vitamin predisposes to various skin diseases and 

contributes to growth disturbances, which affect around 160 million 

children worldwide.(2) 

The German Nutrition Society recommends a daily intake of 850 µg 

so-called retinol activity equivalents for adult men and correspondingly 

700 µg for adult women. It is assumed that 1 µg retinol can be 

formed in the body from 12 µg beta-carotene, so that a daily intake 

of 10.2 or 8.4 mg beta-carotene would be required in a purely plantbased 

diet. However, genetic polymorphisms affecting the enzyme 

beta-carotene monoxygenase, which converts beta-carotene into 

vitamin A, are widespread and affect the organism’s ability to convert 

provitamin A into vitamin A.(1) Around one in five Europeans does 

not get enough vitamin A through the diet. Children in particular are 


29


often affected by an undersupply, as they have a comparatively high 

need, but at the same time have a low storage capacity. People with 

fat absorption disorders, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, 

as well as diabetics and people with hyperthyroidism are also considered 

to be risk groups, as they cannot absorb fat-soluble nutrients 

well or can only convert vegetable carotenoids into vitamin A to a 

limited extent. As a symptom of a vitamin A deficiency, those affected 

often experience night blindness, an impairment of vision in dim light. 

Without sufficient Vitamin A, the rod cells of the eye cannot produce 

enough rhodopsin, which is formed from the vitamin A derivative 

11-cis-retinal and the protein opsin. (Fig. 1). 

Fig. 1: Vitamin A is stored in the liver and the pigment epithelial cells of 

the retina in the form of retinyl esters. As all-trans retinol, the vitamin can 

be bound to so-called retinol-binding proteins and transported in the blood. 

If necessary, retinyl esters are hydrolyzed to 11-cis retinol and, depending 

on zinc, oxidized to retinal. In the rod cells of the retina, retinal is bound 

to the protein opsin to form the light-sensitive receptor molecule rhodopsin. 

The photons of the light catalyze the isomerization of the cis-retinal to 

trans-retinal, which separates from the rhodopsin and triggers the creation 

of a nerve impulse that is processed by the visual cortex in the cerebral 

cortex. Since the rod cells are primarily responsible for seeing in low light 

conditions, vitamin A deficiency is associated with the symptom of night 

blindness. 

-1,1 

-2,3 

-3,5 

-4,7 

Luminance [log cd/m 2 ] 

Pigment epithelium (retina) 

11-cis-retinal 

Zn 

11-cis-retinol 

all-trans-retinyl-ester 

all-trans-retinol 

Photoreceptor (rod) cell 

11-cis-retinal 

Vitamin A-deficiency 

Rhodopsin 

Opsin 

+ 

all-trans-retinal 

all-trans-retinol 

After therapy with daily 50.000 I.E. (15 mg) 

Vitamin A over 30 days 

normal adaption range 

Time in the dark [minutes] 

0 10 20 30 40 

Nerve 

impulse 

Vision 

Fig. 2: In contrast to phototopic vision, in which colours can be perceived 

with sufficient brightness, with so-called scoptic vision with the rods in low 

light conditions, no color perception is possible. Rod vision depends on the 

rhodopsin concentration in the rod cells. Since rhodopsin first has to be 

formed in the rod cells, dark adaptation takes a certain amount of time. In 

the case of vitamin A deficiency, rhodopsin formation is disturbed, so that 

vision is not possible at low luminance levels and night blindness occurs. 

The supplementation of 15 mg vitamin A daily for 30 days can restore 

normal dark adaptation. (4) 

It is assumed that a regular daily intake of 3 mg vitamin A (3,000 µg 

retinol activity equivalents) is harmless for adults (so-called tolerable 

upper intake level). (3) To compensate for an existing vitamin A deficiency, 

it can make sense to supplement higher doses over a short 

period of time, e. g. 15 mg of vitamin A daily for 30 days (Fig. 2). 

Zinc is an essential trace element for the metabolism of vitamin A. 

The enzyme retinol dehydrogenase, which converts 11-cis-retinol to 

11-cis-retinal, as well as the enzyme beta-carotene monooxygenase, 

which converts beta-carotene into two molecules of retinal, depend 

on adequate zinc concentrations for their function. 

Zinc 

An adult’s body contains around 1.5 to 3 g of zinc, with more than 

95 % of the trace element being found in the cells of the muscles 

(around 57 %), the bones (around 29 %) and other tissues. Only 

about 0.1 % of the cation is dissolved in the blood plasma or bound 

to albumin, with typical concentrations in the range of 1 µg/ml blood. 

Zinc forms a cofactor or is part of more than 300 enzymes and an 

even larger number of other proteins, such as transcription factors, 

which control the conversion of DNA into RNA. An inadequate zinc 

supply is associated with growth disorders, anaemia, disorders of 

the hormonal balance, poor wound healing and impaired vision. A 

zinc deficiency is also associated with a deterioration in the immune 

response to pathogens and an increase in the unspecific activation of 

T cells. As a cofactor of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, zinc plays 

a decisive role in the neutralization of reactive superoxide radicals, 

which are produced in the metabolism during reactions with oxygen 

(oxidative stress). 

According to data from the National Consumption Survey II, 21 % 

of women and 32 % of men in Germany do not achieve the recommended 

amounts of zinc through the diet. 

Phytic acid, which is mainly contained in pulses, cereals and oilseeds, 

is used by the plants as a store for cations such as iron and zinc. As 

Resorption of zinc [%] 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

0 

50 

Phytate [mg] 

100 

150 

200 

250 

Fig. 3: Phytic acid contained in plant-based foods forms insoluble complexes 

with zinc and inhibits the uptake of the trace element in the small 

intestine. The phytate content of a meal correlates inversely with the absorption 

of the contained zinc. (5) 



a complexing agent, it can insoluble bind the zinc contained in the 

food and thereby hinder its absorption in the small intestine (Fig. 3). 

Depending on the phytate intake, the German Nutrition Society 

recommends a daily zinc intake of between 7 and 10 mg for women 

and between 11 and 16 mg for men. It is believed that zinc needs 

increase with age. In an investigation with study participants between 

the ages of 65 and 82 years, the daily supplementation of 10 mg zinc 

for seven weeks had a significantly positive effect on the immune 

system. An improved control of the immune response could be 

shown, which was expressed in a reduction of proinflammatory metabolic 

parameters with simultaneously improved immune defense. 

According to this, dietary supplementation with zinc does not lead 

to a general inhibition of the immune response compared to certain 

anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapies. Zinc improves the immune 

response to pathogens and reduces the incidence of infections. (6) 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D plays important roles in maintaining calcium levels in the 

blood and in building and maintaining our bones. In addition, it is 

of central importance for the regulation of the immune response by 

T helper cells. Vitamin D reduces the formation of Th1 helper cells, 

which are held responsible for excessive immune reactions, such as 

those that occur in autoimmune diseases. (7) Vitamin D promotes the 

formation of Th2 helper cells and regulatory T cells, which suppress 

excessive activation of the immune system and enable adequate selftolerance. 

An undersupply of vitamin D goes hand in hand with a 

significantly increased risk of bone diseases, infections and many 

other diseases. Vitamin D is formed in the skin by radiation from the 

sun. Contrary to an often published opinion, however, in the latitudes 

of Germany, vitamin D formation through UV exposure of the skin is 

not possible from October to March, since the solar radiation hits the 

earth’s surface too flat and the relevant UV-B portion of the radiation 

is absorbed by the atmosphere. (8) Vitamin D is found in certain 

foods. The amounts ingested are usually too small to influence the 

vitamin D level to a relevant extent. Due to our modern way of life, in 

which we are usually not sufficiently exposed to the sun, inadequate 

supply is widespread also in the summer months. It is assumed that 

around 40 % of the European population are affected by a deficient 

vitamin D supply (< 30 ng/ml 25(OH)vitamin D3) or that around 13 % 

have a severe deficiency (


of up to 4,000 IU (100 µg) is considered to be safe by the European 

Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 

Vitamin D develops its effect by binding to the vitamin D receptor in 

the cell nucleus (“vitamin D hormone”). The retinoid receptor forms 

a partner receptor, which is assumed that its activation by vitamin A 

improves the DNA binding of the vitamin D receptor and increases 

the transcription of the target RNA (Fig. 4). 

Cytoplasm 

1α-Hydroxylase 

Magnesium 

25(OH)Vitamin D3 

Nucleus 

mRNA 

Vitamin D 

Receptor 

1,25(OH) 2 

D3 

Retinoid-X-Receptor 

1,25(OH 2 

)D3 (RXR, Vitamin A) 

Protein 

Fig. 4: The storage form 25(OH)vitamin D3 is converted into 1,25(OH)2- 

vitamin D3 depending on magnesium. The active vitamin D metabolite 

binds to the vitamin D receptor in the cell nucleus. The retinoid receptor 

forms a partner that improves DNA binding and supports the transcription 

of the DNA. 

Sufficient magnesium concentrations are necessary for the vitamin 

D metabolism. The hydroxylases, which convert the prohormone 

cholecalciferol into the storage form 25(OH)vitamin D3 and convert 

the storage form into the active form 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3, require 

magnesium as a cofactor. 

Magnesium 

An adult’s body contains around 24 g of magnesium. About 40 % of 

the magnesium in the blood plasma is bound to proteins; the normal 

serum level is 1.8-2.6 mg/dl. Most of the magnesium is found in our 

bones, which can store it and release it when it is less absorbed. A 

normal magnesium blood level therefore does not rule out magnesium 

deficiency. An inadequate supply of magnesium predisposes 

to osteoporosis and broken bones. Magnesium is involved in more 

than 600 enzyme reactions as an enzyme component or coenzyme. 

Free magnesium ions influence the potential on cell membranes and 

act as second messengers in the immune system. They stabilize the 

resting potential of excitable muscle and nerve cells and the cells 

of the autonomic nervous system. Magnesium is also an essential 

cofactor of the enzyme ATP synthase, which in the mitochondria, 

the “power plants of our cells”, regenerates adenosine diphosphate 

(ADP) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the universal energy 

carrier of our metabolism. As a magnesium- 

ATP complex, magnesium is involved in 

almost all energy-intensive processes. 

It could be shown that a magnesium deficiency 

is associated with an increased formation 

of proinflammatory tissue hormones. On 

the other hand, magnesium supplementation 

appears to have a positive effect on 

the formation of certain cytokines and prostaglandins. 

In inflammatory diseases of the 

respiratory tract, magnesium promotes the 

relaxation of the smooth bronchial muscles, 

so that supplementation can also contribute 

to bronchodilation in addition to its antiinflammatory 

effect. (10) 

The German Nutrition Society recommends 

a daily intake of 300 mg magnesium for adult 

women and 350 mg for adult men. According 

to data from the National Consumption 

Survey II, around 29 % of women and 26 % 

of men in Germany do not reach these intake 

levels. Other studies show an average daily 

magnesium intake of only around 200 mg 

in women and 250 mg in men. (11) There 

is a particular risk of magnesium deficiency 

in diabetics, who excrete more glucose via 

the kidneys when their blood sugar levels are 

too high. Important minerals such as magnesium 

are also lost with the urine. 

Vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc 

are involved in various immun e functions in 

the metabolism. With regard to their mechanism 

of action, the micronutrients are interdependent 

or support each other in their effect. 

Since deficiency is widespread, care should 

be taken to ensure adequate supply. In view 

Vitamin D 

Regulates T-cell mediated immune responses 

Normal formation of Th1 cells 

Promotes the formation of Th2 cells 

Curbs excessive immune responses 

Improves formation of endogenous antibiotics 

Magnesium 

Contributes to normal cytokine formation 

Stabilizes the electrolyte balance 

Vascular and muscle relaxing 

Activates vitamin D 

Improves the vitamin D effect 

Fig. 5: Vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium and 

zinc contribute to the normal function of the 

immune system. The micronutrients support each 

other in their effect. 

Vitamin A 

Cell growth and differentiation 

Mucosal Barrier Integrity 

Contributes to normal immune function 

T cell and lymphocyte maturation 

Supports the effect of vitamin D 

Zinc 

Involved in DNA transcription 

Mucosal Barrier Integrity 

Regulation of T cell activation 

Neutralization of superoxide 

Contributes to wound healing 

Normal hormonal function 



of the current coronavirus pandemic, there 

are many rational arguments for supplementation. 

Inadequate intake can adversely 

affect the course of the disease. On the other 

hand, supplementation can help to make 

the course of the disease milder. 

Dietary supplements also seem to improve the effectiveness of vaccination. 

As part of the investigation of an influenza vaccination with 

79 children, it was found that supplementation with vitamins A and 

D can improve the vaccination response, especially if there was a 

deficit beforehand. (12) Due to the fact that there are no side effects, 

the addition of appropriate micronutrients is also particularly recommended 

in the context of vaccination. 

References 

(1) Lietz, G., Oxley, A., Leung, W., & Hesketh, J. (2012). Single nucleotide polymorphisms upstream from the β-carotene 15, 15'-monoxygenase gene influence 

provitamin A conversion efficiency in female volunteers. The Journal of nutrition, 142(1), 161S-165S. 

(2) Borel, P., & Desmarchelier, C. (2017). Genetic variations associated with vitamin A status and vitamin A bioavailability. Nutrients, 9(3), 246. 

(3) Scientific Committee on Food. (2006). Tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and minerals. European Food Safety Authority. 

(4) Russell, R. M. (2000). The vitamin A spectrum: from deficiency to toxicity. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 71(4), 878-884. 

(5) Lönnerdal, B. (2002). Phytic acid–trace element (Zn, Cu, Mn) interactions. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 37(7), 749-758. 

(6) Kahmann, L., Uciechowski, P., Warmuth, S., Plümäkers, B., Gressner, A. M., Malavolta, M., ... & Rink, L. (2008). Zinc supplementation in the elderly 

reduces spontaneous inflammatory cytokine release and restores T cell functions. Rejuvenation research, 11(1), 227-237. 

(7) Komisarenko, Y. I., & Bobryk, M. I. (2018). Vitamin D deficiency and immune disorders in combined endocrine pathology. Frontiers in endocrinology, 9, 

600. 

(8) Webb, A. R., Kline, L., & Holick, M. F. (1988). Influence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3: exposure to winter sunlight in 

Boston and Edmonton will not promote vitamin D3 synthesis in human skin. The journal of clini cal endocrinology & metabolism, 67(2), 373-378. 

(9) Amrein, K., Scherkl, M., Hoffmann, M., Neuwersch-Sommeregger, S., Köstenberger, M., Berisha, A. T., ... & Malle, O. (2020). Vitamin D deficiency 2.0: an 

update on the current status worldwide. European journal of clinical nutrition, 74(11), 1498-1513. 

(10) Tang, C. F., Ding, H., Jiao, R. Q., Wu, X. X., & Kong, L. D. (2020). Possibility of magnesium supplementation for supportive treatment in patients with 

COVID-19. European Journal of Pharmacology, 173546. 

(11) Vormann, J., & Anke, M. (2002). Dietary magnesium: supply, requirements and recommendations-results from duplicate and balance studies in man. 

Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology, 5(1), 49-53. 

(12) Patel, N., Penkert, R. R., Jones, B. G., Sealy, R. E., Surman, S. L., Sun, Y., ... & Hurwitz, J. L. (2019). Baseline serum vitamin A and D levels determine 

benefit of oral vitamin A&D supplements to humoral immune responses following pediatric influenza vaccination. Viruses, 11(10), 907. 


Philipp Gebhardt 

65779 Kelkheim, Germany 

p.gebhardt@mitotherapie.de 


33


Photo © : Shutterstock/SewCream 

Nutraceutical tablets with 

enhanced properties 

Omya’s new mineral excipients enable manufacturers to produce tablets with improved 

technical characteristics and ease of use 

The nutraceutical world is evolving fast. Today, there are multiple 

ways of delivering dietary supplements, many of which have a high 

number of active ingredients in their formulation. For this reason, 

the production of tablets can be challenging and often requires high 

compaction forces to bond all components together. Also, more and 

more natural substances such as herbal extracts are being used to 

formulate supplements. However, those extracts are often poorly 

compactable, making tabletting a challenge. In addition, conveni ent 

dosage forms, such as orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), are 

becoming increasingly popular. As they do not need to be swallowed, 

they can be taken on-the-go and are particularly suitable for children 

and the elderly who often struggle to swallow tablets. 

Challenges for product developers 

Of paramount concern to formulators of dietary supplements is the 

requirement to maintain a stable finished product that will release 

its contents in the gastrointestinal tract at the right time and place, 

for optimal absorption and utilisation. That’s because undigested 

and undissolved supplements can create digestive discomfort. It’s 

therefore essential that tablets are properly formulated and tested to 

demonstrate compliance. 

The world of tablet formulation and compression is complex. Not 

only do companies have to consider dissolution properties, but also 

address issues such as shelf life, stability and exposure to environmental 

hazards, including oxygen, light, humidity and high or low 

temperatures. Plus, they must select appropriate tablet processing 

aids – excipients – to optimise the compressibility and disintegration 

of the compound. 

Tablets such as ODTs can be manufactured using various techniques, 

including tablet moulding, freeze-drying, spray-drying and 

direct compression. From a cost and simplicity perspective, the 

preferred method is direct compression. The key parameter for 

directly compressed ODTs is compression force. If it is too low, it may 

improve disintegration but lead to a friable tablet that is not robust 

enough for handling. Conversely, a compression force that is too high 

will result in ODTs that do not disperse properly. Thus, an excipient 

with good compactibility properties is of utmost importance. 

The right excipient 

Today’s formulators have access to several directly compressible 

excipient platforms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages 



– such as poor compactibility, lack of stability or inferior organoleptic 

properties. The choice of excipient is therefore crucial. It must be 

stable, have a good level of inertness, good flowability and compactibility, 

and also contribute to a pleasant mouthfeel in the final formulation. 

As it can be difficult to find a multifunctional excipient that 

combines all of these features, Omya recently launched mineral 

solutions Omyanutra 300 DC and Omyanutra 300 Flash, both 

of which are designed to overcome such processing challenges and 

improve ease of use. 

Strong, stable and quick to dissolve 

With Omyanutra 300 DC and Omyanutra 300 Flash, manufacturers 

can create hard tablets at low compression forces. They 

allow for free-flowing, directly compressible granules and offer better 

compactibility compared to benchmark excipients such as lactose 

and microcrystalline cellulose (graph 1). In addition, the minerals 

provide fast disintegration thanks to their particles’ porous structure 

(graph 2). This porosity also enables the safe carrying and release of 

active ingredients. 

Omyanutra 300 DC is a granulated, directly compressible version of 

the company’s proprietary functionalised calcium carbonate excipient. 

Thanks to a special patented technology, the particle structure and 

surface morphology become porous. The final particles are characterised 

by an external lamellar structure and an internal network of 

interconnected pores. This structure provides plenty of contact points 

among the particles, ensuring interlocking during compaction, which 

results in stable mechanical binding. Omyanutra 300 DC therefore 

improves the compactability of poorly compactable substances, 

including herbal extracts. 

Omyanutra 300 Flash comes with an additional superdisintegrant 

and is a perfect all-in-one solution for manufacturers of orally disintegrating 

and fast-dissolving tablets (ODTs/FDTs). It provides fast disintegration 

regardless of the hardness of the solid dosage form. For 

example, an ODT with Omyanutra 300 Flash completely disintegrates 

in the mouth in less than 15 seconds. Both ingredients are also 

free from nanoparticles and GMOs, and made of high-purity, natural 

mineral material. 

Cost-efficient production 

Unlike many similar materials, Omyanutra 300 DC and 

Omyanutra 300 Flash have the advantage of being biocompatible. 

They also offer multiple functionalities with very simple chemistry, and 

enable a straightforward tablet production process. These mineral 

excipients impart high mechanical strength to tablets, enabling the 

use of regular bottles as packaging, which significantly reduces the 

overall cost of production compared with other tablet technologies. 

R&D expertise on-site 

Graph 1: Omyanutra 300 DC offers better compactibility compared to 

lactose and microcrystalline cellulose 

Keeping all of these advantages in mind, Omyanutra 300 DC and 

Omyanutra 300 Flash are promising excipients for tablets, especially 

for ODTs and FDTs. And, with innovation being a key driver 

in fast-moving markets such as the dietary supplements industry, 

a flair for upcoming trends and the ability to rapidly convert them 

into marketable products is vital for successful positioning. With 

its state-of-the-art in-house laboratory, Omya can quickly react to 

market needs and deliver a short time-to-market for nutraceutical 

products. The innovative facility at the company’s headquarters in 

Oftringen (Switzerland) comprises a wet lab for product development 

as well as a dry lab for granulation, tabletting and performance 

analy sis. Furthermore, cutting edge equipment allows for high-quality 

research into oral solid dosage forms, backed by technical expertise 

and customer support. 


Graph 2: Omyanutra 300 DC provides faster disintegration than lactose 

and microcrystalline cellulose 

Tanja Budde, Director Innovation & 

Technical Marketing - Consumer Goods 

Javier Camargo,Global Business 

Development Manager Pharma 

Omya International AG, Switzerland 

info.pharma@omya.com 

www.omya.com 


35


Photo © : Shutterstock/NatalyaBond 

Taste & texture, health, convenience: 

meeting the 3 driving forces in food and 

beverages 

In the growing global food and beverage market, new trends 

and lifestyle choices are constantly shaping what consumers 

look for in their products. In this article, we explore three key 

consumer desires and how manufacturers can tap into them 

in their own food and drinks offerings: taste & texture, health, 

and convenience. 

What are today’s consumers looking for? 

Across the world, people are thinking about what they eat now 

more than ever. For today’s busy, health-conscious, and demanding 

consumers, three key features are top of mind when it comes to 

making choices of food and drink: taste, health, and convenience. 

These important qualities have become key differentiating factors in 

consumer decision-making, and can greatly influence the impact of 

any particular product. Let’s look at each feature in more detail. 

Taste & texture 

When looking for food products, consumers want to enjoy striking 

sensorial experiences. At the top of the list are an appealing texture 

and delicious taste. In fact, a large proportion of consumers worldwide 

say that different textures offer a more interesting food or drink 

experience, while almost half look to flavor as a key purchasing 

factor. 1 It’s clear that offering products that taste and feel great is 

essential to standing out on the market. 

Health 

Across the world, the topics of health, well-being, and nutrition are 

growing in popularity thanks to global trends and increasing access 

to information. More and more people are making changes to their 

diet, looking to consume healthier food options. 2 More specifically, 

consumers are looking for food products that are: 

– Higher in protein 

– Lower in sugar 

– Lower in fat 3 

The market has responded swiftly to this rise in awareness of health 

and well-being. Global ‘Better-for-you’ food and drink launches are 

rising with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 %, with 

popular claims including gluten-free, no additives, and low/reduced/ 

no sugar. 4 

Convenience 

With the hustle and bustle of modern life leading to busier and busier 

lifestyles, a food or drink product’s convenience has become more 

significant. Generally, we can see that food and drink usage has 

become more flexible. For example, on-the-go food products have 

become more popular, with an 11 % rise in products launched with 

this claim between 2015 and 2019. 5 Similarly, with more consumers 

missing the occasional mealtime due to busy work schedules, full 



meal replacers are on the rise too: this market was valued at USD 

17.1 billion in 2019, with an estimated CAGR of 6.5 % between 2019 

and 2025. 6 

The takeout: added value is key 

These three buying factors are likely to become more important 

to consumers in the years ahead. For manufacturers, this means 

consumers are influenced heavily by food and drink products with 

‘added value’: beyond just taste or health benefits alone, consumers 

want products that offer higher value across the board. They want 

food and drink solutions that will fit neatly into their lives and fitness 

routines, while also offering an exciting sensory experience. 

How can manufacturers meet this challenge? 

For manufacturers, it can be a challenge to create food and drink 

products that meet these demands. For example, within the convenience 

segment, consumers are often looking for products that are 

tailored to fit their own unique needs and slot into their personal 

lifestyles: instead of just a healthy, tasty drink product, they want a 

healthy, tasty sports nutrition drink that can be enjoyed at the gym, 

for example. To keep up with developing trends like these, manufacturers 

need to launch new products that meet the consumer 

demand for convenient, healthy, and tasty products that are increasingly 

tailored to their own specific circumstances. 

There are different challenges to creating healthy foods solutions. On 

the one hand, removing ingredients to reduce the fat or sugar content 

for reformulated food means you need to replace them adequately, 

or the taste and texture can be compromised. On the other hand, 

adding ingredients for nutritional value, such as fortified or functional 

food items, can also affect the taste or texture of your product. And 

these are just a few of the challenges and issues involved in formulation 

and production. 

Unlocking application potential 

One way of overcoming these challenges is to work with versatile 

and innovative ingredients that can help create formulations that 

meet the needs of today’s demanding consumer. A strong example 

of how this can work is ProTake, Rousselot’s portfolio of hydrolyzed 

collagen ingredients. Manufacturers applying ProTake are creating 

exciting innovative food and drink applications – and with surprising 

ease. Thanks to its unique formulation advantages, ProTake supports 

manufacturers’ pursuit of healthier, tastier, and more convenient new 

food and drink products for today’s market, including protein bars, 

powder blends, soups, reformulated snacks, and more. 

Improving texture in high-protein drinks and powders 

For high-protein flavor blends, ready-to-drinks (RTDs), and premixes, 

texture can often be difficult to manage. Potential problems include 

lumping and caking, and the viscosity can often lead to an unacceptable 

final product. ProTake can help manufacturers to formulate the 

desired viscosity, smooth texture, and taste profile, as well as reducing 

lumping. This is due to its high solubility, even at high concentrations. 

ProTake is compatible with other powders and heat-stable, so it can 

be used in a wide range of innovative powder products. 

Baked goods and other foods 

ProTake gives manufacturers a simple way to reduce fat and sugar 

content. For example, in a recipe for brownies, ProTake gives manufacturers 

the option of lowering fat and sugar content by 55 % and 

16 % respectively, while drastically increasing protein levels by 228 % 

LAÏTA NUTRITION, 

EXPERT IN FORMULATION,INNOVATES 

ON THE PLANT-BASED MARKET 

OUR KNOW-HOW IN PLANT-BASED 

INGREDIENTS : 

STRONG TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE 

COMPLEX NUTRITIONAL FORMULAS 

MASTERING SPECIFIC PROCESSES, 

TRACEABILITY AND FOOD SAFETY 

CLINICAL 

INFANT 

SPORT 

laita-nutrition.com 


37


(in comparison to standard brownie). ProTake can also help to optimize 

the taste profile of a savory snack, while helping to adjust the 

mouthfeel in low-fat dairy products. 

Reformulating bars 

For protein, snack, sports nutrition, and meal replacer bars, there 

are several issues manufacturers need to overcome. For example, 

different proteins can lead to stabilization-linked issues like hardening, 

cold flow, or even undesirable flavors. This can make it tough to create 

high-protein bars with the right taste and texture in the long run. 

With a highly soluble, neutral, and easily dispersible ingredient like 

ProTake, making high-protein bars becomes much easier. Creating 

the desired final texture is simpler too, as it helps to add a smooth 

mouthfeel and additional chewiness. With the right dosages and 

processing conditions already applied, potential defects can be 

managed throughout production. This helps manufacturers to create 

stable bars with the right texture, taste, and nutritional breakdown for 

their consumers. 

A recipe example 

For an example of how ProTake can be used in innovative food solutions, 

here’s a recipe idea: a reformulated high-protein bar. Thanks to 

ProTake, it has a great taste and texture and is packed with protein 

energy – with more than 35 % of its energy coming from protein. 

Here’s the recipe: 

Ingredients, for 100 kg: 

Photo © : canstockphoto/estudiosaavedra 

(d) Xylitol 3.2 kg 

(e) Coating compound Carat coverlux dark 

(Puratos) 20 kg 

Nutritional information: 

Energy 

Fat 

Of which – saturates 

Carbohydrate 

Of which – sugars – polyols 

For 100 g For 1 bar (45 g) 

349 kcal 

1465 kJ 

9.1 g 

7.1 g 

47 g 

10 g 

35 g 

157 kcal 

658 kJ 

4.1 g 

3.2 g 

21 g 

4.6 g 

16 g 

Fiber 1.7 g 0.8 g 

Protein 33 g 15 g 

Salt 0.19 g 0.08 g 

Meeting the needs of today’s consumers 

By using a unique hydrolyzed collagen profile like ProTake, creating 

products that meet these distinct consumer needs becomes far more 

achievable. From high-protein powders and RTDS to baked goods 

and sports nutrition bars, ProTake offers manufacturers a solution for 

healthier, tastier, and more convenient products with an appealing 

texture – perfect for today’s demanding consumers. 

With Rousselot, the global brand behind ProTake, advanced food 

science leads directly to on-the-shelf solutions that stand out: from 

an R&D team finding new formulation possibilities to experts at our 

Application Labs working with you to ensure that your product is as 

effective as possible. At Rousselot, science and support go hand-inhand 

as we work with our customers to create health and nutrition 

products that make a real impact on the market. 

References 

1 

Innova Consumer Survey, 2018/2019 

2 


3 


4 

Innova Database 

5 

Innova Database 

6 

Grand View Research 

(a) Rousselot ® ProTake TM 21.6 kg 

Whey protein isolate 14.4 kg 

Lacprodan (Arla) 

(b) Almond paste 3.5 kg 

Glycerin (glycerol) 3.5 kg 

Flavor (liquid) q.s. 

(c) Maltitol syrup (Lycasin 80/55) 37 kg 


www.protake.com 

Scan this QR code to find out more about 

ProTake’s potential in bar applications 


Diabetes 

Photo © : Ingredia 

More promising steps in the prevention 

of Type 2 diabetes 

Diabetes, a worldwide chronic 

disease on the rise 

In 2019, a disturbing 1 out of 11 adults, 

equivalent of 460 million people, had 

diabetes in the world 1 , with half of them 

being undiagnosed. Growing fast, diabetes 

should affect 700 million people by 2045. 

The rising number of diabetics is strongly 

associated with economic development and 

modern way of life: two-thirds of people with 

diabetes live in urban areas. 

Physical inactivity, dietary changes with overweight 

and obesity raise, ageing population 

are the major causes of diabetes known by 

now, but family history or ethnic origin can 

also be risk factors. In the long run, diabetes 

leads to adverse effects on health. It can 

affect eyes, kidneys, feet, cause heart conditions 

or strokes. 

Is prevention possible? 

Silver lining to these clouds is that type 2 

diabetes is largely preventable! 1 out of 13 

adults in the world is at pre-diabetic stage 1 , 

meaning at a high risk to develop type 2 

diabetes. This represented in 2019 375 

million people 1 . 

Prediabetes is defined by an irregular, 

higher-than-normal blood sugar level, sign 

of a growing body dysfunction. It can be 

detected by the fasting blood sugar level, 

between 1 g/l and < 1.25 g/l or/and glycated 

hemoglobin level between 5.7 and 6.4 %. 

Prediabetic stage is at the crossroads of 

healthy and diabetic: if nothing is done, 80 % 

of prediabetics will become lifelong diabetics 

within 5 to 10 years. But this is also when 

good lifestyle habits can bring you back to 

healthy body weight and glycaemia: change 

in eating habits and exercise, combined with 

dietary supplementation, can help. 

Pep2Dia ® , born from research 

Milk products consumption have long been 

known to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

French researchers from La Rochelle university 

and Ingredia went a step further and 

isolated bioactive dipeptide AP (Alanine- 

Proline), with an inhibitor effect on the 

enzyme α-glucosidase, an enzyme in charge 

of breaking polysaccharides into monosaccharides. 

The hydrolysate was patented in 

2015, and Pep2Dia was born. 

Through pre-clinical and clinical studies, 

Pep2Dia ® demonstrated its efficacy in 

reducing postprandial glycaemia with a 

significant effect vs. placebo. In particular, it 

showed an ability to decrease the glycated 

haemoglobin levels (HbA1c) after 6 weeks of 

supplementation at a 1400 mg dose 2 . 

New promising steps in 2021 

2021 saw two new promising steps for 

Pep2Dia ® : 

First, new study data show that the dose 

can be reduced to 700 mg before meals, for 

greater convenience of administration. 

Second, a New Dietary Ingredients (NDI) 

status from US FDA granted in Sept 2021, 

validating its safety for all types of food 

supplements on the US territory, a country 

bearing 88 million prediabetic people 

according to latest CDC statistics. 

References 

¹Source: International Diabetes Foundation, 2019 

2 

Sartorius et al. Nutrients 2019, 11(7), 1700 


www.pep2dia.com 

www.ingredia.com 


39


ERYLITE ® Erythritol in compressed tablets 

Thomas Bernsmeier, Bernhard Baier 

A milestone was set in pharmacy in the 19 th century when active ingredients 

were first compressed into tablet form. Later, in the second half 

of the 20 th century, the development of drugs with protracted action, 

i.e. sustained-release or depot forms, was intensified. Research 

subsequently resulted in the widespread availability of duplex, multilayer 

and coated tablets, not only as therapeutic options but also as 

OTC products, supplements and candies. 

The main excipients in tablets are usually sugars such as lactose, and 

starches, celluloses, maltodextrins and polyols. The primary factors 

for the selection of the filler material are physical compressibility, 

resistance and chemical inertia. Nowadays, however, nutritional, 

dietary and non-allergenic properties are also increasingly expected. 

And what could better meet these expectations than a sugar substitute 

that can be obtained naturally? 

Unlike other sugar alcohols, erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar 

alcohol (polyol) that is present in many foods such as wine, soy 

sauce and a variety of fruits. Erythritol is approximately 60 % as 

sweet as sugar although this varies by application. It is manufactured 

from glucose using a natural fermentation 

process. This makes it a great alternative 

to other polyols and bulk sweeteners: it is 

non-caloric, has a high digestive tolerance of 

around 0.8 g/kg bodyweight, and low hygroscopicity. 

Systemic effect studies demonstrate 

that erythritol is up to 90 % readily 

absorbed, not metabolised, and excreted via 

the kidneys. Thanks to this metabolic profile, 

it is non-glycaemic, non-insulinaemic, and 

more readily tolerated without gastrointestinal 

side effects. Moreover, its allergenic 

potential is very low. 

ERYLITE ® Erythritol – made by biofermentation 



Erythritol in tablets 

Tablets have long been the most frequently 

used single dosage form for pharmaceutical 

products. But there is now also an increased 

demand for tablets as food supplements and 

for personal and oral care. 

Unpackaged, tablet-form food supplements, 

sweetener tabs and dental tabs are widely 

available on the market. These require a 

high degree of stability, which poses great 

challenges for the excipients used as carriers 

and fillers. 

The large range of compressed tablets on 

the market contain many different fillers, 

carriers and other excipients, some of which 

have undesirable properties. Lactose, for 

example, has a long history in pharmaceutical 

and OTC products, but is currently less 

popular as it can be harmful for people with 

lactose intolerance. Cellulose gums are low 

in solubility, as are some dextrins. Other 

polyols, like xylitol or sorbitol, and isomalt 

can have unpleasant laxative effects. They 

also have a calorie value and a considerable 

glycaemic index. 

In contrast, erythritol can play a useful role 

in the pharmaceutical and OTC market as a 

multifunctional excipient with minimal laxative 

effects. In chewable tablets or “Mints”, 

for instance, it provides an excellent alternative 

to other fillers due to its good solubility in 

water (32 g/100 g at ambient temperature). 

In its pure form erythritol is not easy to 

compress into stable tablets. However, this 

report will explain how its compressibility is 

considerably improved by coating and it is 

thus possible to obtain a compressed tablet 

with very high levels of stability. 

safe) and permitted its use in food according to current GMP, with 

upper limits for specific applications. 

Table 1: Regulatory information 

General properties of ERYLITE ® Erythritol 

Table 2: General properties of ERYLITE ® F8030 (typical values) 

Compressing technology 

The fillers and carriers in tablets need to demonstrate several beneficial 

properties in order to meet industry requirements. These include 

good flowability, being dust-free and having good binding properties, 

as well as ideally being calorie-free, sugar-free and non-allergenic. 

Erythritol meets most of these requirements very well. Produced by 

natural fermentation it has some important advantages and properties 

such as a sugar-like taste profile, white colouring and a crystalline 

structure. It is also odourless. However, to optimise its potential 

as an excipient for tablets, the compressibility of the pure substance 

needs improvement. 

Tableting is a very complex process that requires excellent material 

and process knowledge to achieve optimum throughput and quality. 

The basic operations in a tablet press are die filling, rearrangement 

of the particles and the binding of particles during compression. In 

the last step, the finished tablet is discharged and the process begins 

Fig. 1 Compressing technology, tableting steps 

Legal information 

ERYLITE ® F8030 is Jungbunzlauer’s branded 

erythritol and is specified to meet the 

requirements of the latest edition of the Food 

Chemical Codex (FCC) and of Commission 

Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. The US Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA) has affirmed 

erythritol as GRAS (generally recognised as 


41


again. During the compression process the powder material exceeds 

its elastic limit, which leads to plastic and brittle deformation and 

affects the final properties of the tablets. Inadequate material properties 

like poor flow behaviour, low binding levels and high dust formation 

may result in problems with die filling, air inclusion and low tablet 

strength. Reduced throughput and poor tablet quality are the consequence. 

The application technology department at Jungbunzlauer carried out 

tests with a single punch tablet press from Röltgen (Flexitab XL). This 

device enables tests for optimised compressibility of fillers and their 

combinations. Figure 2 shows the poor results of compressing pure 

erythritol; the tablet has very limited stability and reveals cracks and 

capping. 

Fig. 2: Tablets of pure erythritol with limited stability 

Coating technology used with ERYLITE ® Erythritol 

ERYLITE ® Erythritol for compression is manufactured using a process 

that creates the special surface structure which is responsible for its 

improved tableting characteristics – making it the ideal choice for a 

compression excipient. 

Table 3: Reference formulation 

Achieving high tensile strength with 

coated ERYLITE ® Erythritol 

Tensile strength is a parameter to characterise 

the mechanical strength of a tablet 

while a destruction process is initiated with 

increasing force. Figure 4 shows the substantial 

increase in tablet hardness (tensile 

strength) for the coated Jungbunzlauer 

product. Tablets of polyol or starch coated 

erythritol are more than six times harder than 

tablets with uncoated erythritol applying only 

half of the pressing force. 

Fig. 4: Tensile strength of pure erythritol tablets 

and coated erythritol with a polyol or a starch 

binder 

Fig. 3: A vitamin tablet prototype 

The process for coating erythritol with a polyol or starch-based binder 

has demonstrated very promising results. When compressed, the 

coated erythritol produced tablets of enormously increased hardness. 

A very stable vitamin tablet formulation using starch-coated erythritol 

was developed, tableted and compared to a market benchmark. 

This level of tablet stability can only be 

achieved using coated erythritol instead of 

a blend of the raw materials. Further tests 

were conducted to compare the hardness 

of the tablet using coated erythritol to one 

with a dry mix. Figure 5 shows that tablet 

hardness (tensile strength) increased about 

twofold when using coated erythritol, as 

compared with only blended erythritol in a 

vitamin tablet. 

These improved properties of coated 

erythritol enables tablet manufacturers to 

produce tablets with greater stability and 



to achieve higher throughput because the 

compression step can be shortened and 

compression force reduced. 

Fig. 5: Tensile strength of vitamin tablets with uncoated and coated 

ERYLITE ® Erythritol (35 kN press force, 13 mm punch) 

Particle size distribution 

Particle size distribution (PSD) is a very 

important parameter for the tableting 

process. The PSD represents the particle 

size, the distribution and fine share of the 

material. Figure 6 shows the frequency 

distribution of the tested ERYLITE ® Erythritol 

coated with the starch based binder. The 

erythritol was sieved through a 600 µm sieve 

before being compressed in this pilot plant 

(Röltgen Flexitab XL). 

Fig. 6: Particle size distribution of coated ERYLITE ® Erythritol 

Summary 

Excipients such as carriers and fillers are 

required for the production of functional 

tablets. It was demonstrated that ERYLITE ® 

Erythritol coated with a polyol or starch-based 

binder increases tablet stability and hardness 

significantly. Even low concentrations 

(< 10 %) of coating material are sufficient 

to improve the compressibility of ERYLITE ® 

Erythritol. Thus, this technology provides 

new options for product developers to extend 

the use of ERYLITE ® Erythritol in tablets. 


Thomas Bernsmeier – 

Technical Service Manager, 

Jungbunzlauer International AG 

thomas.bernsmeier@jungbunzlauer.com 

Bernhard Baier – 

Project Manager Application 

Technology Food – AGC, 

Jungbunzlauer Ladenburg GmbH 

bernhard.baier@jungbunzlauer.com 


43

Beauty food 

Photo © : Adobe Stock/andreaobzerova 

Moving forward with beauty from within 

Oliver Wolf 

Like many markets, global beauty was hampered by supply 

issues caused by the pandemic last year. But while sales 

in the sector as a whole fell by 8 %, the skincare market 

remained bullish. 1 In its annual report, market leader L’Oréal 

notes that skincare sales dipped by just 3 % in 2020, while 

dermocosmetics bucked the sector trend to enjoy a 2 % uplift 

in sales value. 1 

These figures illustrate just how invested consumers are in looking 

after their skin. And they underline the fact that people are willing 

to pay more for skincare products with scientific endorsement – 

dermocosmetics deliver functional benefits, often in partnership with 

dermatologists. 

Sitting alongside dermocosmetics that are applied topically to 

the surface of the skin are nutricosmetics – supplements that are 

taken orally to deliver beauty benefits from within. According to 

Reportlinker’s “Women Health & Beauty Supplements” report, this 

market was estimated at USD 52.09 billion in 2020 and is expected 

to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.42 percent to 

reach USD 89.42 Billion by 2026. 2 

One beauty from within ingredient that has 

attracted a lot of attention and been the 

subject of a great deal of scientific research 

in recent years is collagen and, more specifically, 

collagen peptides. A natural protein, 

collagen makes up approximately 30 % of 

the body’s total protein content. As a major 

component of our connective tissue, its 

strength is what keeps skin smooth and 

wrinkle-free. 

During the ageing process, however, skin 

cells (fibroblasts) deteriorate and their ability 

to make collagen diminishes. From the age 

of about 30 onwards, skin becomes thinner 

and fine lines start to appear. It also becomes 

increasingly dry. Collagen peptides are hydrolyzed 

to a specific short length, so the body is 

able to absorb them more easily than regular 

collagen. GELITA, the leading manufacturer 

of collagen peptides, offers a broad portfolio 


Beauty food 

of Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP ® ) that stimulate the metabolism 

of specific collagen-containing cells to enhance collagen production 

in different parts of the body – including in the skin. 

free and containing no E-numbers, it is also ideal for the development 

of clean label brands and satisfies the growing consumer demand for 

products that are pure, safe and naturally functional. 

Scientifically proven benefits 

Today’s consumers are keen to learn how beauty from within applications 

work. Unsubstantiated claims are not enough – there has to 

be scientific backing. “Consumers will challenge products for their 

scientific evidence and only choose those with convincing proof of 

the promised effects,” says Dr Stephan Hausmanns, Vice President 

Health & Nutrition at GELITA. “Manufacturers can be assured that we 

have carried out clinical studies with our Bioactive Collagen Peptides, 

confirming their effectiveness and, in the case of VERISOL ® , their 

considerable stimulating effects on skin metabolism.” 

Elasticity and hydration 

Reaching below the surface 

Topical dermocosmetics containing collagen have been around 

for some time, but doubts have been raised about their long-term 

effectiveness. The problem lies in the fact that they only affect the 

epidermis – the outer layer of the skin – and thus can only deliver 

temporary effects. 

With its VERISOL ® specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides, GELITA 

provides a scientifically proven-to-be-effective ingredient for beauty 

from within products with high consumer appeal. 

VERISOL ® contains natural BCP ® which have been specifically developed 

to provide the highest possible efficacy in human skin. With their 

special amino acid composition, they positively influence collagen 

metabolism from the inside out. Whether consumed in food, drinks 

or nutricosmetics, VERISOL ® enters the bloodstream and reaches the 

fibroblasts in the dermis. In a completely natural process, it stimulates 

collagen metabolism and helps strengthen the skin’s connective 

tissue. This leads to improved elasticity, fewer wrinkles and a 

younger, healthier appearance. 

The initial clinical study verified the effectiveness of VERISOL ® 

collagen peptides in biophysical skin parameters related to skin 

ageing. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 69 women aged 

35–55 were randomized to receive 2.5 g or 5 g of VERISOL ® or a 

placebo once a day for 8 weeks. 

Skin elasticity in those receiving VERISOL ® showed a statistically 

significant improvement compared with the placebo group after only 

4 weeks of treatment. In some women, a maximum increase in skin 

elasticity of up to 30 % was observed after the 8-week treatment 

period. Interestingly, this effect was even more pronounced in women 

aged 50 and over. With regard to skin moisture and skin evaporation, 

the collagen peptide treatment’s positive influence was also seen 

among this age group. The positive effect on skin elasticity was still 

detectable at the end of the 4-week washout phase, suggesting a 

long-lasting dermal physiological effect. 

Sensory advantages 

Clearly, it is not only the effectiveness of a product that determines 

its success. How it looks, feels and – in the case of nutricosmetics – 

tastes are also of the utmost importance. VERISOL ® scores high here 

too as it has no effect on a product’s colour, is virtually neutral in taste 

and can easily be combined with minerals, vitamins, trace elements 

and other nutrients. This means it can be included in a wide range 

of products with specific properties, from optimizing skin structure to 

wrinkle reduction and enhanced skin hydration. Moreover, VERISOL ® 

is free from fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates and gluten. Being GMO- 


45

Beauty food 

Wrinkle reduction 

A second study investigated the effectiveness of VERISOL ® on wrinkle 

reduction and the synthesis of important dermal matrix components 

including type I collagen, elastin and fibrillin, which are key components 

of connective tissue. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled 

trial, 114 women aged 45–65 were randomized to receive 2.5 g of 

VERISOL ® or a placebo, once daily, for 8 weeks. 

After 4 weeks of treatment, the VERISOL ® group showed significantly 

reduced eye wrinkle volume of more than 7 %. This positive effect 

was more pronounced after 8 weeks of supplementation, with some 

subjects achieving a maximum reduction in eye wrinkle volume of 

50 %. Four weeks after the last dose, the VERISOL ® treatment group 

still showed a statistically significant decrease in eye wrinkle volume 

of 11.5 %. 

Healthier, thicker hair 

As well as having beneficial effects for the skin, VERISOL ® also 

supports healthy hair. Proof of this comes from a randomized, placebocontrolled 

study that showed supplementation with VERISOL ® leads 

to improved hair structure because it significantly increases hair 

thickness and proliferation of human hair follicle cells. 

In this study, 44 healthy women aged between 39 and 75 each 

received a daily dose of 2.5 g VERISOL ® or placebo for 16 weeks. At 

the end of the supplementation period, use of VERISOL ® resulted in 

a significant increase in hair thickness, while in the placebo group, 

there was a slight decrease. 

Diminishing cellulite 

A third study investigated the ability of VERISOL ® to reduce cellulite. 

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 105 women aged 

between 24 and 50 years received a daily dose of 2.5 g VERISOL ® 

collagen peptides or a placebo (maltodextrin) and were classified as 

being of normal weight or overweight, depending on their BMI. 

After the treatment period, the skin tissue of those in the VERISOL ® 

group was measurably more compact, indicating a strengthening 

of the connective tissue. Each group was assessed for cellulite, 

both visually and using the “pinch” test. After only 3 months and 

compared with the baseline readings, a statistically significant cellulite 

reduction score was observed in the treatment group. 

Stronger nails too 

Although measuring the impact of VERISOL ® on nail health was not 

the objective of these studies, an improvement in nail quality among 

the participants was noticed as a positive side-effect. Anecdotally, 

there is a long-held belief among consumers that collagen is good for 


Beauty food 

the nails. However, there has not been proper scientific evidence of 

this – until now. For the first time, a clinical trial has investigated the 

efficacy of a specific dosage (2.5 g/day) of VERISOL ® on nail growth 

and brittle nail syndrome. 

In this open, single-centre clinical trial, a total of 25 healthy women 

received a daily dose of 2.5 g VERISOL ® for 6 months, followed by a 

4-week observation period. In terms of nail growth, taking VERISOL ® 

led to clear improvements after 12 weeks of treatment: Daily supplementation 

promoted a 10 % increase in nail growth. This rose to 12 % 

after 24 weeks, and 15 % four weeks after the last dose. Frequency 

of cracked or chipped nails also decreased significantly. And even 

after the washout phase, 21 participants (88 %) showed excellent/ 

good/fair improvement in brittle nail syndrome symptoms such as 

peeling, edge irregularities and roughness. At the end of the study, 

most participants (80 %) agreed that VERISOL ® had improved the 

appearance of their nails, and were totally satisfied or satisfied with 

its performance. 

placebo. Both were instructed to take a daily dose of 5 g for 8 weeks. 

The study period was subsequently extended by 4 weeks without 

further product administration to investigate the ongoing effect of the 

treatment. 

Overall, the study results proved that – compared to placebo – a 

continuous intake of fish-derived VERISOL ® F leads to a statistically 

significant improvement in skin elasticity. Additionally, the eye wrinkle 

volume of the VERISOL ® F group decreased signifi cantly. In conclusion, 

Proksch et al were able to prove that a daily intake of 5 g of fishderived 

VERISOL ® has a positive impact on skin elasticity and eye 

wrinkle volume reduction. 

Multiple opportunities for brands 

GELITA continues its scientific research, developing and enhancing 

the potential for its BCP ® portfolio to be used in successful nutricosmetic 

applications. With an ability to deliver proven benefits into 

markets that so many consumers are invested in, these ingredients 

offer manufacturers an easy way to add credence to beauty from 

within products – not only in the realms of skin health, but also for 

hair and nails. The company is always on the lookout for innovative 

ways to enhance its already wide-ranging product portfolio. And with 

its marine BCP ® VERISOL ® F, GELITA offers brands a way of reaching 

consumer groups who would shy away from traditional collagen as 

an ingredient. 

References 

1 

https://www.loreal-finance.com/en/annual-report-2020/cosmetics-market-2-1-0/ 

[last accessed August 2, 2021] 

2 

https://www.reportlinker.com/p06089053/?utm_source=GNW 

[last accessed August 2, 2021] 

3 

Nutrafoods (2020) 1:127-133. DOI 10.17470/NF-020-0018 

A marine collagen alternative 

Collagen peptides are usually derived from natural raw materials 

obtained from animals like cattle. But with more and more consumers 

turning away from meat, whether for dietary, ethical or religious 

reasons, GELITA has developed VERISOL ® F, a BCP ® product derived 

from fish. 

“Marine collagens are gaining in popularity because they allow 

manufacturers to meet the needs of consumers preferring others 

than bovine or porcine collagen due to religious or ethical reasons,” 

says Dr Stephan Hausmanns. “VERISOL ® F offers the same benefits 

as VERISOL ® , ensuring the same end results for users.” 


Oliver Wolf 

Head of B2B Marketing, global 

GELITA AG 

www.GELITA.com 

The effects of VERISOL ® F were scientifically confirmed in a study by 

Proksch et al, in Kiel, Germany. 3 The randomized, controlled trial was 

carried out with two groups of healthy women aged between 35 and 

80. One group was given VERISOL ® , while the other was assigned a 


47


Photo © : Fi Global 

Consumers understand the blessings of preventive nutrition and are increasingly considering products that provide them with 

several benefits at once. 

Holistic approach to human health 

Julien Bonvallet 

The days when healthy nutrition was mostly about obtaining 

enough vitamins, counting calories and avoiding fat are long 

gone. That’s because today, many people view nutrition from 

a preventive and personal perspective: we eat what is good 

for us as individuals, and take more of a holistic approach to 

our health — a trend that will be a key theme at this year's 

Fi Europe combined with Hi Europe. 

According to the World Health Organisation, “Health is a stage of 

complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely 

the absence of disease and infirmity”. The fact that physical and 

mental wellbeing go hand in hand, and that Juvenal’s “Mens sana 

in corpore sano” also applies the other way around, should be indisputable. 

But mental health has gained tremendous importance once 

again, largely as a result of the pandemic: For during the lockdowns 

and many weeks of reduced social contact, psychological discomfort 

increased in many people. i In the UK, 65 % of consumers say 

mental and emotional wellbeing is just as important to them as diet 

and physi cal exercise, with only 8 % seeing it as less important. ii The 

stage is set, then, for holistic health as a megatrend that can also 

offer enormous potential for manufacturers 

of functional foods and nutraceuticals. But 

what exactly can nutrition do for mental wellbeing? 

And what sub-trends are opening up 

for the industry? 

Trends in holistic health 

Blood glucose management 

The fact is that rapidly fluctuating blood 

glucose levels are not conducive to good 

health and can lead to NCDs such as obesity, 

type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Furthermore, keeping blood glucose levels 

in check can have a significant impact on 

overall wellbeing: If blood glucose levels rise 

sharply and quickly, we feel fit and productive. 

But if there’s a sudden drop – such as 

that often experienced after carbohydraterich 

meals – fatigue can affect concentration 



and overall performance levels. The solution 

is low-glycemic carbohydrates that, when 

used as an ingredient in functional foods, 

can ensure that blood glucose levels rise 

more slowly after consumption, whether in 

beverages, confectionery or dairy products. 

Gut health 

Studies have revealed a connection between 

our intestine and nervous system, known as 

the gut-brain-axis. In animal analyses, scientists 

came to the conclusion that the intestinal 

microbiome and its specific composition 

influenced animal behaviour. Many 

of us can no doubt confirm this from our 

own experience: If the intestine is affected, 

so is the rest of the body. This and the fact 

that in recent years, popular scientific literature 

has shone a spotlight on the formerly 

taboo subject of intestinal health, has led 

to the development of numerous innovative 

pro ducts based on dietary fibres, prebiotics 

and probiotics — all suitable for a holistic 

health approach. In August 2020, Perennial launched “Gut & Brain,” 

a plant-based drink made from pea, soy and rice protein that’s fortified 

with DHA omega-3 fatty acid, folate, choline and vitamins B6, 

B12 and E. The product also contains prebiotic fibres to promote gut 

microbiota and cognitive health via the gut-brain axis. 

Immune health 

According to FMCG Gurus, 17 % of people worldwide say they have 

adjusted their diet — often with nutraceuticals — to focus on immune 

health. Mintel states that most claims related to immune health originate 

in the European Union, followed by Asia, North America and 

Latin America. In Europe, for example, 12 immune-related health 

claims exist for products containing vitamin A, B6, B12, C and D, 

and the minerals folate, copper, iron, selenium and zinc. But it’s 

not just about products that directly support normal immune function; 

it’s also about those designed to support “softer” factors (such 

as better sleep, stress reduction and inner peace). Research shows 

that the body’s ability to fight infection — and even the efficacy of 

its response to vaccines — is impaired if the individual is stressed 

or sleep-deprived. iii, iv As such, the link between immunity, sleep and 

stress is becoming ever-more established in consumers’ minds. Yet 

in the past five years, only 5 % of global immune supplements made 

a functional claim relating to sleep or stress management. v 

ENDLESS HYDROLYZED 

COLLAGEN POSSIBILITIES 

ProTake, is a versatile hydrolyzed collagen ingredient that 

combines dietary and nutritional benefits with advantageous 

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processing protocols and different conditions. Rousselot’s 

experts offer an array of recipes and knowledge on how to 

incorporate collagen in your application. 

Discover more! 

Scan me! 

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rousselot.com/health 

Rousselot is a brand of Darling Ingredients


Beauty from within 

Related to a holistic approach is the idea of hybrid products that 

nourish and deliver ‘good for me benefits’ in a figurative sense – such 

as “eating pretty”. Achieving beauty from within through healthy nutrition 

and functional food is becoming more and more important. For 

example, the number of edible collagen products and supplements 

making beauty claims has risen significantly in the last five years. vi 

Kalumi makes protein bars with marine-based collagen to promote 

hair, skin and nail health, for instance, whereas Beauty Food makes 

cookies and nut butters with collagen. 

Ingredients from nature 

For generations, people have relied on the health-giving and holistic 

healing power of nature; what’s new, though, is that many traditionally 

used herbs and botanicals are now being offered in novel 

formats. Chamomile, for instance, is no longer simply a bedtime tea. 

Australian brand Almo Milk makes almond milk with a “nourishing 

and calming” chamomile blossom extract, and CocoJune offers a 

coconut yoghurt flavoured with vanilla and “soothing” chamomile. 

The trend for holistic health is also driving interest in adaptogens 

and nootropics. Although both terms are not legally defined, they are 

currently mushrooming: Adaptogens are botanical substances that 

claim to support the body by restoring balance and helping people 

cope with physical and mental stress, whereas nootropics are said to 

improve cognitive function (memory, alertness and focus). L-Theanine, 

found in green tea leaves, is thought to impact serotonin, sleep 

hormones and other neurotransmitters. In 2016, Coca-Cola launched 

L-Theanine-enriched “Sleep Water” in Japan, and British start-up, 


Andreas Mavrommatis, 

Marketing Director Informa 

andreas.mavrommatis@informa.com 

Fungtn, makes a range of low-alcohol craft beers brewed with a blend 

of adaptogenic mushrooms that, reportedly, allow people to enjoy the 

flavour of beer without the hangover. 

Fi Europe combined with Hi Europe: 

Holistic health inspiration and innovation 

It’s not just the borders between healthy nutrition for the body and 

holistic nutrition that are blurring, but also the ones between normal 

food, nutraceuticals and phamaceuticals. This was one of the reasons 

why the Fi Global Team decided to hold its two trade shows, Food 

ingredients Europe and Health ingredients Europe, co-located and on 

an annual basis. In addition to the novelties showcased by the exhibitors, 

the ingredients show, which will be held virtually from November 

22 and in person in Frankfurt from November 30 to December 2, 

will offer numerous exciting presentations and sessions on the topic, 

with a whole day dedicated to health and wellbeing. Rick Miller, Food 

and Drink Associate Director Specialised Nutrition at Mintel, will be 

discussing “How personalisation will shape the future of ingredients” 

while Aurore De Monclin, Managing Partner at The Healthy Marketing 

Team, will provide “Consumers’ perspectives on food & mental wellness”. 

And Megan Eade, Innovation Technologist at RSSL, will be 

informing the expert audience of ”Trends in ingredient innovations to 

support digestive health”. The Fi Global team is currently expecting a 

total of 17,000 visitors in person and/or virtually, and 800+ exhibitors. 

References 

i 

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02143-7 

ii 

E. Schofield, “What Are the Opportunities for Food and Drink Producers to Cater to 

Consumers’ Mental Well-Being?” presentation at Fi Europe CONNECT 2020. 

iii 

https://cdn.ymaws.com/tshp.org/resource/resmgr/r&e_foundation/posters/2020/458492 

7491328279188_-_Poster.pdf 

iv 

www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/why-lack-of-sleep-is-bad-for-your-health. 

v 

E. Schofield, “What Are the Opportunities for Food and Drink Producers to Cater to 

Consumers’ Mental Well-Being?” presentation at Fi Europe CONNECT 2020. 

vi 

www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Article/2020/07/20/Collagen-a-highly-relevantholistic-beauty-ingredient-in-2020-says-Mintel. 

Impressum 

ISSN 2364-8104 

Wellness Foods & Supplements | No. 3 /2021 

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billkaprelian@gmail.com 

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