Enzymotec introduces non-GM lecithin and PS
grade lecithin and phosphatidylserine (PS), to boost its share in
the supplements market.
The company, launching the products at HiE next week, says it has received guarantees of IP (identity preserved) status from all of its raw material suppliers and is now moving towards third-party certification of all of its products.
"Not all producers can offer high grade PS that is identity preserved," Elzaphan Hotam, business development manager at Enzymotec, told NutraIngredients.com.
Phosphatidylserine is present in all biological membranes but in animals is most concentrated in the brain. It regulates many metabolic processes including neuronal signalling. However it cannot be synthesized by the body and changes in the western diet over recent years have led to a decline in dietary uptake of the nutrient.
The supplement, derived from soybeans, has been shown to enhance memory and cognitive performance, and is targeted at both the elderly and young adults under stress.
Established suppliers of the product in Europe include Italy-based Chemi and the German chemicals group Degussa. However Enzymotec says it has seen strong growth in PS sales since entering the market last year through offering a quality product ranging from 20-60 per cent purity.
Like other major PS suppliers, the Israeli group has only recently been able to offer large quantities of IP-certified PS due to difficulties in sourcing sufficient quantities of traditional raw material. But it is likely to be closely followed by Degussa, which claims to be on the verge of launching an IP-certified PS too.
Furthermore, an IP status is unlikely to offer higher margins with prices for non-GM material being forced down to the same level as the regular product. Historically, non-GM material has been set at about 10-15 per cent higher than the cost of regular 10 per cent purity PS, but this price difference is now levelling out, making the phospholipids marketplace more aggressive.
Enzymotec says a new process, which allows for production of high grade IP lecithin and PS in a single phase, has improved efficiency and will allow it to be more competitive.
It is also offering a high grade lecithin, with a high phosphatidylcholine (PC) purity, giving it an edge in the larger lecithin market, which counts some of the biggest soy ingredients producers.
"The market for high grade lecithin in Europe does not justify big operators opening new plants to avoid cross contamination in order to product it," noted Hotam.
"We are therefore hoping to supply and grow this selective, niche market."
Enzymotec will feature its Sharp and Focus brands at the Galam stand at HiE.
