Spanish nutraceutical firm Nektium won NutraIngredient's (NI) Nutrition Research Project award in 2019 for Project Zynamite, in which the firm undertook a series of successful studies to confirm the efficacy of its proprietary, patent-pending, botanical ingredient.
Their research has shown that the active ingredient, mangiferin (extracted from the mango tree) can provide an energising benefit without negative side effects.
As the deadline for applications to the 2020 awards looms (January 24th), Deborah Thoma, marketing manager at Nektium Pharma, tells NutraIngredients about the team’s triumph at last year’s ceremony and how their success has snowballed since then, with the team planning to launch a new solution in the next week which she says will open multiple business opportunities.
“Initially, Zynamite was only suitable for products in powder format due to its limited solubility,” she explains.
“We knew the ingredient was of interest to the mental health and sports nutrition sector, and athletes in particular tend to want to use drinks rather than pills, so we have spent months creating a soluble extract, which has been very challenging.
"What's more, we’ve also developed a soluble beverage version of Zynamite standardized to 15%, specifically developed for the EU market.
“This was quite a revelation as it was difficult to achieve and it opens a lot of opportunities.”
The awards
The Zynamite team is no stranger to the NI awards, after leaving victorious two years in a row with the Ingredient of the Year award in 2018 and the Nutrition Research Project in 2019.
Thoma says the accolades have helped boost awareness within the industry and interest from new clients.
“The NutraIngredients Award is a reputable award in the industry and that always helps with business negotiations and helps to promote the product as well.
“The awards are amongst the most well known in the sector so it has a strong reputation in the nutraceuticals industry. Obviously the quality of the event is high as it is one of the best organised.
“It’s also a nice way to pick up a conversation with a potential new customer because its not just us giving a big blurb but it’s us showing we’re recognised by a reputable institute from within the industry.
“As well as applying for the awards ourselves, we encourage our customers to apply with their products that use our ingredient as its a great opportunity for us all."
The NutraIngredients Awards will return to Geneva for its sixth year alongside Vitafoods Europe 2020 in May. Rewarding true innovation, market success and cutting-edge research in healthy foods, supplements and nutrition the 2020 NutraIngredients Awards gala evening will host an industry-wide celebration of success.
Held on Wednesday May 13th, after the second day of Vitafoods Europe, the awards ceremony has become a fixture of the Vitafoods calendar – and this year will be even bigger and better!
In it to win it!
Entries for the 12 prestigious awards are open now – with categories to celebrate ingredient and finished product success in addition to highly competitive categories for nutrition research, personalised nutrition, and start-ups.
The closing date for entries is Friday 24th January 2019.
This is your chance to stand out as a leader in your market segment and showcase your success and innovation to the rest of the industry in the following areas:
- Ingredient of the Year: Sports Nutrition
- Ingredient of the Year: Infant Nutrition
- Ingredient of the Year: Healthy Ageing
- Ingredient of the Year: Weight Management
- Probiotic Product of the Year
- Botanical Product of the Year
- Omega-3 Product of the Year
- NutraChampion
- Personalised Nutrition Initiative
- Start-up Award
- Nutrition Research Project
- Editors Award for Innovation
“The range of categories provides nutraceutical, functional and healthy food industry players with multiple opportunities to enter, and showcase their unique talents and successes,” said NutraIngredients senior editor Nathan Gray, who will chair the judging panel.
“From finished product manufacturers to ingredients suppliers, start-ups, universities and contract research organisations – and even individuals who have contributed hugely to the industry – there is a chance for all to get the recognition they deserve.”
Entry to the awards will be set at a fee of £150+VAT per entry, with entry to the NutraChamption Award category is free to enter. Please see the NutraIngredients Awards website for further details.