New Sleep Research and Ingredient News

RESEARCH

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Functional Carbs Improve Sleep Quality

A recent scientific study shows how functional carbohydrates can impact sleep hygiene in a positive way. BENEO’s functional carbohydrate, Palatinose, was part of the study led by researchers at the UK’s Swansea University, which proved that having more balanced blood glucose levels supported longer and restful sleep.

BENEO’s slow and sustained release carbohydrate Palatinose improves aspects of sleep when consumed as a bedtime drink, researchers uncovered. By leading to more balanced blood glucose levels, particularly during the first half of the night, Palatinose may support a longer deep sleep phase and thus restful sleep.

As poor sleep quality is known to be a risk factor for obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, and dementia, insomnia is a major public health issue. These research findings are promising in the fight against insomnia, demonstrating that the right choice of carbohydrate can positively impact a person’s sleep and mental well-being.

INNOVATION

Gum Products Opens R&D Facility

Gum Products International (GPI) has opened a new innovation center just outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The new center will provide extended R&D capabilities for GPI customers and aims to accelerate the development of tailored antimicrobial solutions.

The center features dedicated pilot plants for the bakery, confectionery, beverage, dairy, seafood, meat, and poultry industries. In its commercial-grade culinary kitchen, customers can refine products from concept to completion. Advanced tools enable precise measurements of variables like volume, bacterial growth, texture, and weight, providing actionable insights.

Launching this innovation center enhances GPI’s own R&D capabilities while providing its partners with a valuable resource to advance their product innovations, strengthening the collaborative ecosystem that defines GPI’s industry legacy.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

Photo courtesy of Kyowa Hakko

Kyowa Hakko USA spotlighted its partnership with MOSH at Natural Products Expo West in March.

Maria Shriver and Patrick Schwarzenegger cofounded MOSH after they witnessed a loved one’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The mission-forward brand offers protein bars with the added benefit of Cognizin, Kyowa Hakko’s patented form of citicoline. Citicoline is a naturally occurring nutrient found in every cell of the body that plays a crucial role in a variety of brain functions.

In 2024, MOSH reformulated its bars to include Cognizin, selecting the ingredient based on research and clinical testing for improving focus, attention, memory, and mental energy. The company chose to partner with Kyowa Hakko as a supplier due to the clinical evidence supporting Cognizin’s efficacy. MOSH will be releasing new flavors this June, as well as expanding retail distribution.

AIDP has announced that its exclusive brand, Actazin, a premium green kiwifruit powder, has been granted a Natural Product Number from Health Canada, allowing for approved health claims in the Canadian market. Actazin is a clinically researched ingredient derived from New Zealand–grown green kiwifruit, rich in bioactive compounds, including actinidin, a natural enzyme that enhances protein digestion, supports gut motility, and promotes overall digestive health.

Everwell Health and its subsidiary Nutrition21, an industry-leading developer and marketer of functional ingredients, has acquired all ingredient assets from Things of That Nature Inc. The acquisition includes a novel plant-based cetylated fatty acid technology, esterified fatty acid compounds, as well as the Celadrin brand, a globally trusted ingredient known for joint comfort, increased mobility, and skin care. The acquisition expands the company’s portfolio of branded ingredients and will help fill new pipeline innovation.

Paris-based savory food solutions provider Solina has acquired U.S.-based Sokol Custom Food Ingredients, a 130-year-old company that supplies custom savory and sweet sauce solutions for the food manufacturing, retail, and foodservice channels. The acquisition will enhance Solina USA’s sweet sauce capabilities, increase capacity and scale, further strengthen its resilient supply chain, and drive growth.

The move marks Solina’s fourth acquisition in the United States, following Asenzya in 2021, Saratoga Food Specialties in 2022, and AFS in 2024. Solina will now have five sites in the United States: California, Illinois (2), Nevada, and New Jersey.

Reichert Technologies, a business of AMETEK Inc. and global leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing refractometers and analytical instruments, has announced the latest enhancement to RefractixRefractometer, now capable of measuring Brix to a hundredth of a decimal. After launching in late 2023, Refractix has redefined the refractometer market, setting new standards with its innovative and advanced features in a convenient handheld platform.

Measuring Brix to a hundredth of a decimal allows for more precise measurements of sugar and sweetener content, which is critical for maintaining taste, quality, and controlling raw material costs of food and beverage products. This enhancement ensures consistency in products such as juices, syrups, and soft drinks, where maintaining consistent sweetness levels is key.

This new update positions Refractix as the refractometer choice for the food and beverage industry. However, its versatility extends beyond the Brix measurement. Refractix also has scales to cater to the needs of the chemical, veterinary, automotive, and pharmaceutical industries, providing reliable performance across a wide range of applications.

Microalgae protein innovator Brevel has signed a development and commercialization agreement with the largest Israeli beverage company, The Central Bottling Company (CBC Group). The partnership will develop functional beverages and dairy alternatives containing Brevel’s high-value microalgae protein and oils.

Under a long-term purchase agreement to span 10 years, Brevel will supply CBC with its algae-derived raw ingredients, including extracted protein, functional oils, and antioxidants.

Brevel’s proprietary technology for cultivating microalgae is built on a process that combines light with sugar fermentation in indoor bioreactors. This innovative approach enables the efficient production of nutrient-rich microalgae in large quantities, without the need for genetic modification.

The resulting ingredient is a white, neutral-tasting powder consisting of 60% to 70% microalgae protein concentrate. The powder can be integrated into a broad spectrum of meat and dairy alternatives as a natural plant-based protein booster. It has functional properties that allow it to replicate the textures, flavors, and behavior of animal proteins while providing the same sensory experience.

NEW PRODUCTS

Kemin Food Technologies-North America has introduced OLESSENCE, an innovative line of plant extract blends that boost flavor while preserving freshness in packaged baked goods, snack foods, and more, for the North America region.

The OLESSENCE line uses various extracts, such as olive fruit, rosemary, green tea, and mixed tocopherols, to meet the goals of the intended application. The new addition to the Kemin portfolio of clean label ingredient solutions provides food manufacturers with various opportunities, including cost savings, label cleanup, and extended shelf life.

TIPA Compostable Packaging is launching an advanced home compostable, metallized, high-barrier film that can address challenges in eco-friendly packaging for chips and salty snacks. The solution offers enhanced functionality and durability in a biodegradable solution.

TIPA’s 312MET Premium film is a lightweight, ultra-thin metalized solution designed for high barrier protection against salt, oil, and moisture, which are common challenges for snack packaging. These barrier properties eliminate the need for an additional sealing layer, making it highly efficient for converting and versatile for various applications.

This film is available globally for purchase in reels, and when paired with cellulose or paper layers, it makes one of the market’s thinnest two-ply home compostable solutions for chips and snacks. Suitable for packaging chips, snacks, granola bars, grains, coffee, and tea, the film offers extended shelf life while maintaining an eco-friendly end-of-life.

In its quest to provide perfect sample preparation, Anton Paar has introduced Multiwave 5001 and Multiwave 3001, two microwave digestion systems designed to set new standards in laboratory efficiency, flexibility, and safety. This innovative system delivers reliable results for food testing laboratories, leading to superior trace elemental analysis.

Multiwave 5001 processes up to 64 samples (and Multiwave 3001 up to 41) in one run, reducing time and cost while increasing throughput. These versatile systems can handle a wide range of samples with ease. They are equipped with self-checks, software interlocks, and a resealing safety door—the only system certified by ETL and GS for safety.ft

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