Carrier system to make omega-3 less fishy
improving the absorption of fat soluble nutrients as well as
providing a time release capacity.
Meduna said the carrier technology will also help stop fishy tastes when containing omega-3.
The company's move is another reminder to the industry that more developments can still be made in the realm of omega-3, which in recent years has been a massive industry driver.
Omega-3 from fish oil is a rich source of EPA and DHA for the 50-80 million European consumers who use omega-3s to maintain heart health, brain health and overall wellness.
According to the latest Frost and Sullivan figures the European omega-3 market was worth around €160m (£108m) in 2004 - and is expected to grow at around 8 per cent a year until 2010.
Meduna's Karl Heinz Voigt told NutraIngredients.com that there were two components to the carrier, which has been patented in Germany, the EU and Canada.
He said: " The special fatty acid mixture containing Alpha-Linolenic acid, cocosahexanoic acid and middle chain triglycerides have the function to improve the absorption of fat soluble vitamins."
The second component is a xylose hardened gelaten capsule, which Voigt said is " stomach resistant and we can regulate the release time."
He added: " The patents are useful for nutrients, if you have compounds, which need no reaction in the stomach.
The capsule can be used for Omgea-3 fatty acids because there is no belching and you have no bad taste of fish."
The xylose hardened gelatine capsule can be used for all compounds which need a retarded release time, said Voigt.
Food companies have been looking to add omega-3 benefits into their products.
Already, Premier Foods has brought out a line of baked beans filling this category, and Dairy Crest is due to launch a second enhanced spread.
Last week a production and research facility able to make super-pure fatty acid concentrates for the nutrition industry opened in Scotland with the potential to offer gold standard omega-3, with high purity extractions.
