NutraIngredients recently released the shortlist for the 2023 Asia Ingredients Awards, which aims to encourage innovation and cutting-edge research in the fields of functional foods, dietary supplements, and nutritional ingredients. The award categories include oral beauty, cognitive function, microbiome regulation, sports nutrition, weight management, and healthy aging, with the following lists of finalists in each category.
Annual Ingredient: Cognitive Function
Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274, Morinaga Milk Industry
Probiotics improve brain function, including memory and cognition, through the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Research indicates that oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 can enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like mouse models and subjects with mild cognitive impairment. Four months of oral intake can reduce amyloidosis, attenuate microglial cell activation, improve hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and effectively prevent memory impairment. Morinaga Milk Industry claims that MCC1274 is Japan’s first probiotic asserted to enhance memory function. In 2021, Morinaga Milk Industry added MCC1274 to its yogurt drinks and supplements, claiming to improve memory in the elderly.
Care4U Neuravena® Green Oat Extract, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Green oat refers to oats harvested in the late growth stage when the seeds are still green and firm. Since the Middle Ages, green oat preparations have been used to alleviate fatigue, improve concentration, and reduce irritability.
IFF Health’s Neuravena® green oat extract, prepared using proprietary EFLA®HyperPure technology, contains various bioactive compounds. In a human study using electroencephalography (EEG) as a tool, the intake of Neuravena® was correlated with changes in brain activity, based on the impact on the left frontal-temporal lobe region known to be involved in cognitive tasks such as problem-solving and memory. Additionally, Neuravena® has demonstrated significant inhibition of monoamine oxidase B and phosphodiesterase 4. Long-term intake of green oat extract improves vascular dilation in peripheral arteries and brain arteries, suggesting a broad impact on brain function.
Sensoril®Ashwagandha, Kerry Ingredients
Sensoril® is an extract from the roots and leaves of Ashwagandha, a historic Ayurvedic ingredient. Multiple clinical studies and ongoing research support the safety and efficacy of Sensoril® Ashwagandha extract, demonstrating its support for stress, sleep, mood, energy, and attention. Sensoril® features: 1) maximum solubility in beverages or liquid products; 2) non-GMO; 3) organically grown; 4) vegetarian; 5) root and leaf configuration for maximum efficacy; 6) kosher, halal, and organic certified; 7) self-affirmed GRAS; 8) can be used with flavoring products to mask bitterness.
Annual Ingredient: Microbiome Regulation
IMMUSE, Kyowa Hakko
IMMUSE is a probiotic immune activator introduced by Kyowa Hakko, featuring the Lactobacillus strain Plasma. This ingredient stimulates the body’s natural defense mechanisms and is commonly found in Japanese functional foods to support immune health.
Oksana Ritchie, European Market Manager for Kyowa Hakko, stated, “Immuse is a unique patented strain discovered by researchers at Kirin in Japan and is the first lactic acid bacteria directly activating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) studied clinically.”
Earlier this year, the Italian company Comple.med launched a dietary supplement, Lactoflor Immuno 200, incorporating Kyowa Hakko’s IMMUSE into its formula. The product contains 50 mg of IMMUSE, 200 mg of lactoferrin, and 25 µg of vitamin D3.
Livaux®, Anagenix
Livaux® is an innovative natural supplement made from non-GMO New Zealand golden kiwifruit. Research indicates its ability to promote the growth and restoration of specific beneficial bacteria, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prau). F. prau activity increases the level of butyrate, a crucial short-chain fatty acid serving as an energy source for systemic cells, including those lining the colon. Low levels of Faecalibacterium are associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Totipro® PE0401 Postbiotics, Glac Biotech
Totipro® Postbiotics PE0401 is a mixture of fermented metabolites from various probiotics, including Salivibrio, Longobacillus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Plantibacillus. Clinically proven, it supports the immune system and actively regulates the gut microbiota.
Clinical studies show that daily intake of 0.2 grams of Totipro® Postbiotic PE0401 helps improve bowel movements, alleviate constipation, and address other digestive symptoms. One of its key advantages is thermal stability, making it an ideal choice for various foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.
Annual Ingredient: Sports Nutrition
Olive Fruit Maslinic Acid, Nippn Corporation
Maslinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, is found in the waxy skin of olive fruits, olive leaves, and olive pomace, known for its preventive effects against oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Research indicates that oral consumption of Olive Fruit Maslinic Acid can inhibit the expression of inflammation-related genes in knee joint tissues and improve muscle mass during resistance training.
Synnovo® Vegan IBCAA Powder, INNOBIO
Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through diet. BCAAs constitute approximately 14%-18% of amino acids in skeletal muscles, playing a crucial role in promoting muscle protein synthesis, inhibiting protein breakdown, and regulating protein metabolism. Supplementing with BCAAs effectively alleviates muscle fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery.
INNOBIO’s Synnovo® Vegan IBCAA utilizes patented microencapsulation technology, claimed to disperse rapidly in water without floating or settling, eliminating the need for stirring. Additionally, the technology includes a unique taste-masking layer, reducing bitterness by 60%-80%.
TetraSOD®, Fitoplancton Marino
TetraSOD® is a unique marine ingredient derived from the green algae Tetraselmis chuii. It boasts a high concentration of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), making it the most concentrated source of SOD in the market. SOD is the first essential enzyme in the antioxidant pathway, defending against oxidative stress, preventing free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species (ROS). Research on elite young football players found that daily supplementation of 25 mg TetraSOD® produced significant and favorable changes in maximum endurance capacity, body composition, oxidative stress blood markers, and hemoglobin.
Asian Ingredients Awards 2023 Shortlist (Cos&Beauty) >>>
Reference
Huuskonen, L.; Lyra, A.; Lee, E.; Ryu, J.; Jeong, H.; Baek, J.; Seo, Y.; Shin, M.; Tiihonen, K.; Pesonen, T.; et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 on Skin Wrinkles and Dryness: A Randomized, Triple-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Dermato 2022, 30-52.
https://doi.org/10.3390/dermato20200052、Abdelhamid, M.; Zhou, C.; Jung, C.-G.; Michikawa, M. Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 Mitigates Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Pathologies in Wild-Type Mice. Nutrients 2022, 14, 254
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu141225433、Ban OH, Lee M, Bang WY, Nam EH, Jeon HJ, Shin M, Yang J, Jung YH. Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 Exerts Anti-Obesity Effects in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice Model by Regulating Lipid Metabolism. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2023 Feb;67(3):e2200385. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.202200385. Epub 2022 Dec 23. PMID: 36517937.
