Nutraceuticals World (NW): How do you define nutrient absorption vs bioavailability, and how can novel delivery systems improve the efficacy of nutraceuticals?
 
Tanja Kokkinis, International Business Coordinator for Pharmako Biotechnologies: Nutrient absorption vs bioavailability are indeed related concepts in that both are essential in determining the effectiveness of nutraceuticals. An easy explanation of these differences is process vs proportion. Absorption refers to the process that the nutrient is taken up by the body to enter the bloodstream. Bioavailability, however, is not an either or, it considers both the process involved for absorption, and factors in the amount/proportion of nutrient that enters the bloodstream, once it has entered the body and been made available for use.
 
Novel delivery systems are designed to improve the efficacy of nutrients, through optimizing absorption to target delivery and enhance stability. One such example is Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDS), which are designed to make ingredients self-emulsify upon contact with water, such as that found in the GI tract. SEDDs allow for the formulation of micelles, which are important in the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.
 
Liposomes are another form of delivery system that is currently gaining momentum among formulators and brand companies, as they offer a targeted nutrient delivery approach. They are tiny, engineered structures made up of a lipid bilayer that are able to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients within their structure. This allows them to pass through the various cells and land directly into the bloodstream, avoiding the harsh environment of the stomach and first pass metabolism by the liver, to deliver their high payload.

NW: What factors should formulators and brands consider when it comes to delivery systems for their ingredients? 
 
George Kokkinis, Director for Pharmako Biotechnologies: One size doesn’t fit all. The right delivery system needs to be selected based on the type and physical form of the active ingredient in question. For example, a hydrophilic vitamin (e.g., vitamin B12) is not suited to a micellar system but could work well in a liposomal one. Whereas an insoluble lipophilic active would not be suitable to a liposomal or micellar system. The formulator needs to be very experienced in delivery systems. This is complicated engineering at the microscopic and sub-microscopic levels.
 
Tanja Kokkinis: An understanding of the bioavailability of ingredients is essential for formulators to develop effective and safe products. Factors that maximize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing their potential risks, such as absorption efficiency, dosage optimization, safety and cost-effectiveness must all be considered to design a customized formulation.
 
NW: How does bioavailability impact dosage for ingredients in a formulation? 
 
George Kokkinis: Everyone is probably too familiar with the four or so giant fish oil capsules required daily to positively affect cholesterol or reduce joint pain. It’s a big ask to expect people to take a handful of fish oil capsules on a daily basis. Delivery systems can help here. A well-crafted delivery system can reduce this dose significantly (down to one capsule a day) while eliminating the fishy burp-back.
 
Tanja Kokkinis: Bioavailability plays a critical role in determining dosage requirements that will deliver optimum therapeutic benefits. The use of a suitable delivery system, that is designed to optimize bioavailability, can help to ensure that efficient absorption is achieved with a significantly lower ingredient input. In this way, bioavailable ingredients by their very nature, add value to both formulators and brand companies, positively impacting on cost considerations and avoiding the need for excess ingredient use, while also providing a better, efficacious product with a more sustainable use of resources.
 

NW: How are the delivery systems Pharmako Biotechnologies has developed unique, or novel? 
 
Tanja Kokkinis: Pharmako specializes in the development of clinically proven delivery systems specifically designed to increase bioavailability/absorption and uptake by the body, while dramatically improving the functionality (how the nutrient is delivered) of actives. The efficacy of our delivery systems has been proven in human pharmacokinetic, mechanistic and clinical studies. Pharmako’s unique competitive edge, is our customization of optimized formulations for our customers depending on a range of requirements such as:
 

• Local regulatory restrictions
• Stability issues and climatic conditions
• Performance of differing actives
• Desire for lifestyle, cultural and religious accreditations (e.g., gluten free, kosher, etc.)
• Products are manufactured in a TGA licensed facility.

 
Our novel delivery systems increase efficacy, reduce dose size and frequency, and speed up the onset of action in innovative formats to help improve consumer compliance. 
 
NW: How might technologies enhance both delivery and dose optimization? Does this allow for customized formulation? 
 
George Kokkinis: Although the scientific interest in curcumin is very high, nearly all researchers know that its poor bioavailability significantly hampers its true performance. By increasing curcumin’s bioavailability, with cleverly crafted advanced delivery systems, you can now unleash its true potential. In using bioavailable curcumin to reduce levels of inflammation in the body you can now affect various conditions that can be quickly noticeable to the consumer (e.g., joint pain). This noticeable and quick difference gives confidence to the consumer as well as addresses their immediate concerns.
 
NW: How can application of novel delivery systems impact consumer compliance?
 
Tanja Kokkinis: The use of a novel delivery system in a product formulation can directly impact consumer compliance as simply as improving palatability or removing an unpleasant aftertaste or offering an easier and more convenient “on the go” format option. Improving the ingredient’s absorption allowing for a smaller, less frequent dose size requirement, or even reducing side effects are factors that can contribute to a positive user experience that encourages consumer compliance.