Arla Food Ingredients business development manager in Europe, Peter Schouw Andersen, told us Lacprodan HYDRO.365 was able to deliver its muscle recovery benefits as the raw whey was cut so fine it entered muscle fibres faster.
“This is our most sophisticated form of whey and is the result of an extensive isomatic process,” he said of the amino acid-rich hydrolysate. “It is also easier to formulate with because it is chopped up, and therefore less reactive to food environments.”
Arla said it was suitable for ready-to-drink beverages including clear drinks, powders, gels, bars and tablets, was highly soluble, UHT stable, pH neutral and had a low bitterness profile.
“It is a premium ingredient that does cost a little bit more than regular whey due to the manufacturing process. But we have had interest in this already and will be showcasing it at the Health Ingredients Europe (HIE) show in Frankfurt next month.”
Wheys to claim
Whey protein does not have an approved health claim for muscle recovery and endurance in the European Union with endurance and recovery claims for whey specifically rejected, but Andersen said trials were underway that may rectify that situation.
“There are trials underway that will be published next year and there are already more than 20 studies showing the benefits of hydrolysates. We make reference to these so while sports products can’t yet make recovery claims, they can classify them as endurance products.”
“And sports product buyers are very well educated so they know about the benefits of whey even if it has not been officially validated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).”
He also emphasised that it is a global launch.
The global protein sports nutrition market grew 59% to €4.15bn between 2006 and 2011, according to Euromonitor International.
A recent 3A Business Consulting report said the whey market would be worth €6.88bn in 2015 – a 4% yearly growth at constant prices since 2010.
It said high-end protein products - WPC80, isolates and hydrolysates - were growing at double digit figures, “whereas whey powder and other low-end products are stagnating”.
Major players are Arla, Lactalis, FrieslandCampina, Fonterra, Arla Foods, Saputo, Glanbia, Murray Goulburn, DMK/Wheyco, Leprino, Agropur, Sachsenmilch, Armor Proteines and Hilmar, Meggle, Euroserum, Milei, Volac, Carbery, Dairygold, Milk Specialties Global and Davisco.