Vitafoods Europe

Booth E46
 
A significant facility expansion by Waitaki Biosciences, the New Zealand based manufacturer of quality natural nutritional ingredients, is set to transform the market for greenshell mussel oil extracts, according to the company. PernaTec Oil, a high-quality omega-3 and phospholipid rich New Zealand greenshell mussel oil extract developed by Waitaki will substantially boost global supplies and will become a benchmark for high quality EFA ingredients.   
 
Another result of the expansion is ActiPhen freeze-dried kiwifruit powder, a digestive health ingredient, and CassiPure anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract for eye health, cognition, and immune support. Waitaki will showcase these specialty ingredients at VitaFoods Europe Booth E46.
 
The expansion project has further increased processing capacity and development of new extraction technologies, building on Waitaki’s portfolio of natural nutritional ingredients from high quality New Zealand raw materials targeting health concerns in high demand categories.
 
“A goal of our expansion was to make it viable for brand owners to develop products with significant quantities of greenshell mussel oil extract finally available,” said Waitaki Biosciences Chief Executive Craig McIntosh. “We’ve begun the next step in popularizing this unique source of EFAs with a robust research program that will further define our material in terms of both lipid profile and biological effects.”
 
Waitaki is undertaking a research project which includes analyzing in detail the company’s unique oil extraction process, and examining how this creates a product with a superior profile of fatty acids, phospholipids, and sterols. 
 
Early observations from the research scientists have noted an interesting level of NMI (non methylene interrupted fatty acids), at a level of up to 5%. NMIs appear to have a number of biological effects, such as the ability to modify lipid metabolism. The scientists studying PernaTec Oil will also be conducting in vitro assays that look at the effects of the oil on several different models of inflammation. 
 
ActiPhen and CassiPure are derived from fruit varieties grown in New Zealand, which offers a unique growing environment that includes strict non-GMO policies, and clean, environmentally sustainable growing practices. The ingredients also have higher levels of protective phytonutrients as a consequence of the seasonal hole in the ozone layer.
 
ActiPhen is unique because it is 100% kiwifruit powder containing no artificial additives, like anti-caking agents. It’s also available with a low water activity (<0.2) making it particularly suitable to be formulated with probiotic ingredients,