Ingredients for functional foods and supplements

Prepared Foods, Sept, 2004

Extracting Grape Rewards Kikkoman, an industry leader in soy sauce, recently has introduced another revolutionary product for industrial manufacturers--Gravinol[R], a grape seed extract. Specially for products ranging from processed foods, like cereals and beverages, to dietary supplements, cosmetics and pet food, Gravinol is offered in three different forms: Gravinol-N, Regular Grade (>=40% TF); Gravinol-T, Beverage Grade (>=28% TF); and Gravinol-S, Premium Grade (>=95% TF). Gravinol harnesses naturally occurring antioxidants containing proanthocyanidins, which have proven to have a positive health benefit. It also prevents the oxidation of foods. Kikkoman International Inc., www.kikkoman-usa.com

Heart and Joint Health

Chondroitin has been identified as a solution to help promote healthy joints. Cargill's OptaFlex[TM] natural chondroitin has been self-affirmed GRAS, making it appropriate for food use. CoroWise[TM] plant sterols for heart health and Oliggo-Fiber[R] inulin are also available from the supplier. An alliance between Cargill and MGP Ingredients for the production and marketing of a new resistant starch product called Fibersym[TM] HA has been announced. Formerly known as the MGPI FiberStar[TM] brand, the new product delivers more than 70% dietary fiber. The resistant starches, derived from high-amylase corn, greatly reduce net carbohydrate levels in foods. Applications cover a wide variety of products, including breads and other baked goods, tortillas, breakfast cereals, snack products and nutritional bars. Cargill Food and Pharma Specialties, Dorothy Peterson, 219-473-2213, dorothy_peterson@cargill.com, www.cargill.com

Green Coffee Extract

Green coffee beans are a good source of natural polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. Green coffee is less processed than traditional roasted coffee, and many of these antioxidants, which are destroyed during conventional roasting, are retained. Antioxidants found in coffee have been linked to decreased cancer risk, prevention of gallstones and decreased risk of developing Type II diabetes. OxyPhyte[R] Green Coffee Extract is standardized to chlorogenic acid. In human studies, the chlorogenic acid in coffee has been shown to reduce the amount of carbohydrates absorbed in the body, making it a potential ingredient for weight-loss and bodybuilding formulas. RFI Ingredients, Ellen Schutt, ellens@rfiingredients.com, www.rfiingredients.com

Colorless Cyclodextrin

Wacker Specialties offers a large range of GRAS cyclodextrin products under the Cavamax[R] name. The company's technology is increasingly used for stabilizing ingredients against heat, oxidation and for taste or odor masking. Its products include Cavamax W6, a new colorless soluble dietary fiber with convincing properties and Cavamax CoQ10, a highly bioavailable CoQ10 powder. Other products include OmegaDry[R] Cranberry and OmegaDry 1510, high-quality berry oil and DHA/EPA powders, as well as complexes of flavors, antioxidants, dietary supplements and customtailored formulations. Wacker Specialties, Helmut Reuscher, 517-264-8794, helmut.reuscher@wacker.com, www.wacker.com

Fortifying with Phytosterol

Adding phytosterols to food and beverage formulations without affecting flavor or texture can be challenging. Eugene Science has developed a line of phytosterol powder and liquid ingredients that are ideal for beverages and a variety of food products, including milk, soymilk, juices, functional beverages and yogurts. By way of a new agreement, ADM will begin marketing Eugene Science technology as part of the CardioAid[TM] family of phytosterols. The product contains 50% sterols and does not sustain any negative effects from heat or degradation from storage. ADM also produces a great variety of isoflavone supplement products sourced from both PCR negative and identity-preserved, non-GM soybean varieties. ADM offers isoflavones in concentrations from 20% to 70%, in products specially compounded to facilitate handling and tableting. ADM, Carl Hart, 217-424-5200, hart@admworld.com