Kyowa Hakko USA Inc., New York, announced the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial conducted by The Brain Institute at the University of Utah. The study found that adolescent males experienced increased motor speed and attention after supplementation of Cognizin citicoline.

David Michael & Co., Philadelphia, promoted Jillian Horowitz to the role of account manager following her graduation from the company’s sales training account management program (STAMP). The 12-month training program covers all aspects of the food and beverage industry and provides a thorough orientation of the company, including its products, business philosophy, commitment to innovation and quality, and customer service procedures.

Holzminden, Germany-based Symrise AG completed the acquisition of French natural flavors manu-facturer Diana Group for approximately $1.7 billion, which was financed through a combination of equity and debt. As part of the integration process, Symrise will incorporate Diana into its Flavor & Nutrition business and split the segment into two divisions. In the Flavors division, Symrise will concentrate on the development of flavors and flavor compounds. The second division will integrate Diana’s resources and focus on Symrise’s functional ingredients applications and consumer health and nutrition activities.

Flavor & Fragrance Specialties Inc., Mahwah, N.J., made the following additions to its team: Kathleen Rubino as senior regulatory affairs associate, Vanessa Lopez as an analytical chemist, Juan Velez as a fragrance applications specialist, Laura Hickey as a quality control technician, and Kelly Seecharran as a flavor marketing specialist.

Minneapolis-based Cargill finalized an agreement with Tokyo-based Nagase Group to be the exclusive distributor of Treha trehalose, a multi-functional ingredient for the food, beverage and dietary supplement markets. For beverages, Treha can mask a wide range of unpleasant tastes and odors and help vegetable and fruit juices retain their color, according to Cargill. In other news, in its “A thriving cocoa sector for generations to come” global progress report, Cargill noted that it has trained 115,000 cocoa farmers, set up 2,500 farmer field schools, certified 77,000 farmers, and distributed 25 million seedlings to promote farm development since the Cargill Cocoa Promise launched in 2012. Additionally, the company has improved access to education for more than 34,000 children and improved access to health care for more than 25,000 people during that timeframe.

Eagan, Minn.-based Biothera announced that its Wellmune WGP ingredient is a key component in U.K.-based Natural Immune Products Ltd.’s new I Mune Nurture immune beverage for children aged 2-5 and Bangkok-based Tipco F&B Co. Ltd.’s Super Kid mixed berry juice for children aged 3-8. In addition, the company recently conducted a clinical study of 100 healthy adults aged 50-70 in the United Kingdom and found that consumption of 250 mg of Wellmune WGP for 90 days reduced the number of upper respiratory tract infections and fostered statistically significant changes and trends in cytokine levels that are part of the body’s response to viral encounters and inflammation, when compared with a placebo.

OmniActive Health Technologies Inc., Morristown, N.J., released the results of a study testing lutein’s role in visual function and carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India, the study showed that Lutemax 2020, a macular carotenoid formulation consisting of premium lutein and zeaxanthin isomers, suppresses oxidative stress in tissues, can prevent free radicals from combining with retinal collagen, and strengthens retinal collagen, significantly preventing reduction of retinal thickness.

Ganeden Biotech Inc., Mayfield Heights, Ohio, released a new white paper about its GanedenBC30 probiotic ingredient. The “Time for Probiotic Alt-Milk Options” white paper, which highlights how functional probiotic ingredients can add more value to the growing dairy alternatives category, is available for free download on the company’s website.

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Co. LLC, Loudon, Tenn.,  appointed Lipscomb Chemical Co., Long Beach, Calif., as one of its distributors of Zemea USP propanediol in the food and beverage markets. The distribution agreement covers Mexico and the following U.S. states:  Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Lipscomb Chemical has been distributing the company’s Zemea propanediol in the cosmetics and personal care market since 2006.

New research published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that soluble corn fiber (SCF) can boost fiber intake when added to foods and beverages, increase the amount of beneficial bacteria present in the gut, and enhance calcium absorption in adolescents. Tate & Lyle plc, London, provided the SCF for the study, which evaluated the potential effects of SCF on calcium absorption and retention in adolescent children with low-fiber diets.