Cien por Cien Natural launches first omega-3 using PL+ tech in Europe

The new Krill Phospholipids PL+DHA product contains a concentrated formula of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) utilizing phospholipids, which are both water and fat soluble, which act as an emulsifier and can create micelles for a maximum surface area for absorption and bioavailability “five times greater than other fish oil or microalgae extracts.”  

The firm claims this means a 200 mg capsule of Krill Phospholipids PL+DHA is equivalent to 1,000 mg of DHA in the form of triglycerides. Merce Piñol del Olmo, SVP of human health and Ingredients Europe at Aker Biomarine, told NutraIngredients the firm has conducted an as yet unpublished clinical trial showing 10 times better absorption of fish oil omega-3s (EPA and DHA) when formulated with PL+ phospholipids. 

“This product launch marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with Cien por Cien, and this exciting venture is only the beginning, as we look forward to expanding our product portfolio,” she said. “There is no question that in order to be relevant in today’s market, supplement brands need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation. In that respect, it is great to see new opportunities and actual products on the shelves that utilize marine phospholipids to increase the absorption of nutrients like omega-3."  

She added that there are more products in the pipeline for 2024 in Europe that are using the PL+ technology to help boost the absorption of various nutrients. 

Oil and water don’t mix 

Bioavailability is the rate at which a substance is absorbed into the bloodstream and can be used by the body, which is made up of up to 60% water. Oil-based supplements resists absorption into the bloodstream, and botanical and herbal extracts particularly struggle. 

The absorption rate of some of these supplements like curcumin, CoQ10, CBD and some forms of omega-3 is erratic due to poor solubility in gastro-intestinal tract. Therefore, many of these supplements end up being flushed out of the body without delivering their health benefits. 

For better bioavailability, these supplements must have a good balance between hydrophilicity to help dissolution in gastro-intestinal fluids and hydrophobicity to help cross the lipid rich cell membranes. 

Phospholipids  

Phospholipids have excellent biocompatibility and are both water and fat soluble. Multiple publications have demonstrated the benefits of using phospholipids as a self-emulsifying delivery platform for supplements with low bioavailability and

membrane penetration. 
 
Aker BioMarine’s PL+ technology is a new self-emulsifying delivery platform for lipid-based and lipid-soluble supplements that uses sustainably sourced marine phospholipids. 

The technology enables dual solubility in water and in fats and acts as an emulsifier and a booster of absorption to enhance uptake of supplements up to 25 times—with PL+ phospholipids acting as a bridge between oily substances and water by forming emulsions and micelles around the nutrients. 

Because phospholipids are the building blocks of our cells and critical components of cell membranes, they can be easily recognized and absorbed by the body. 

In this way PL+ technology can deliver nutrients with higher velocity and higher absorption rates at lower doses and cost of formulation.