Innophos Inc., Cranbury, N.J., recently highlighted ingredient solutions that improve the texture and appearance and also protect the flavor of high-protein beverages. Innophos offers Textur-Melt LM89 and DKP (dipotassium phosphate), which help stabilize and improve the performance, functionality and quality of drinks that contain protein from sources including whey, collagen and plant-based sources, it says. “Textur-Melt LM89 offers processors buffering capabilities and also prevents age gelation for plant-based protein beverages,” said Amr Shaheed, manager of technical services at Innophos Inc., in a statement. “Other solutions on the market may just offer buffering. A buffer is a solution that can resist pH change upon the addition of an acidic or basic component. It can neutralize small amounts of added acid or base, thus maintaining the pH of the solution as relatively stable. This is important for processes and/or reactions which require specific and stable pH ranges.” Shaheed explains that the protein will become more soluble, more stable and can go through a heat exchanger during the pasteurization process without issues. “Phosphates are known to be strong buffers, so product developers need to use only a small dosage to be effective compared to non-phosphate ingredients,” Shaheed said. “This results in lower cost-in-use and extends the shelf life of the product as it improves stability.” Innophos Textur-Melt LM89 delivers numerous advantages, including prevents age gelatin, stabilizes protein, allows alternative protein use and provides better functionality, according to the company.

Blue California, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., joins with the Massachusetts-based biotech company Conagen to announce the commercialization of high-purity, fermentation-derived nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). A nature-based metabolic component that has caught the attention of health-conscious consumers for supporting energy and longevity. “Consumers are reassessing their dietary regimen to make room for ingredients that can support an increased health span,” said Blue California Chief Science Officer Priscilla Samuel in a statement. NMN supplements are highly sought-after for healthy aging applications, including brain health, vitality, heart health, metabolic health, and even cosmetics. However, current NMN ingredients used in products on the market are mostly produced by chemical synthesis. Blue California’s fermentation-derived NMN opens new opportunities for producers to consider consumers' health more holistically while acquiring a closer-to-nature position, it says. NMN serves as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme present in all living cells and critical for mitochondrial function. Increased intracellular levels of NAD+ boost energy production and improve cellular health, but levels decline dramatically with age. Replenishing NAD+ in the body with its precursor NMN has been proposed as a way to possibly combat age-related degeneration and increase healthy lifespan. “Our fermentation-derived offering is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing recognition of NMN as an important ingredient in the food and supplement spaces,” Samuel said. “NMN is a well-known molecule in the longevity research community, and emerging research also suggests potential applications for immune health as well as sports nutrition.”

Symrise Diana Food, Rennes, France, entered into an agreement with SMAG Smart Agriculture for the development of a customized mobile software app that will digitize the global agronomic activities of Diana Food. Diana Food decided to implement this digital solution because of its goal to structure, gather and coordinate all its agro-data in one place using a common language. The app, which is part of the SMAG Agreo business software platform, will create a digital agro-community comprised of the company’s 13 global agronomists and its fruit and vegetable producers. It will serve as a repository of the company’s complete knowledge of agronomy, with agro-data gathered and structured cohesively and accurately, it says. The software will improve scalability, facilitate continuity plans and make traceability more attractive to all stakeholders. Nicolas Gribius, EMEA Agronomy Manager at Diana Food, stated: “Many consumers lack trust in the food supply. The use of this digital technology demonstrates how Diana Food helps its customers address this concern with highly accurate, high quality data.” Diana Food currently is piloting the app in two countries, France and Chile, for testing prior to global rollout. Phase 1 launch, scheduled for October 2021, will include customized functionalities and development protocols that relate specifically to Diana Food. A potential Phase 2 update will include added functionalities that Phase 1 identifies, as well as a direct connection to Diana Food’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, it says.