Trend Tracker: Omega-3 and delivery system innovation, nutraceutical education in India, and our Healthy Ageing APAC Summit
Tech and testing: Time to convince consumers to monitor their omega-3 Index
Now that technological advances have made Omega-3 Index testing more convenient and accurate, the challenge is to educate consumers and healthcare practioners of its importance.
At the recent NutraIngredients Omega-3 Summit in Singapore, Xerion presented its proprietary technology, PUFAcoat, at a breakfast briefing organised by BASF. Guests were given the opportunity to test their Omega-3 Index using dried blood spot technology.
Xerion's testing kit was first launched last year, with BASF gaining exclusive distribution rights to market the product as part of a three-year agreement between the two companies.
Huge plant potential: Marine-quality plant-derived omega-3 from canola inches towards commercialisation
Continuing research into a genetically engineered canola source of omega-3 has promised plant-derived EPA and DHA on par with fatty acids from fish and algae.
However, the parties at the forefront of this research, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's (CSIRO) and Australian firm Nuseed, say the crop will first be used in aquaculture before it debuts in food or dietary supplements.
Dr Surinder Singh, chief research scientist and plant oil engineering group leader at CSIRO's Agriculture and Food division presented CSIRO's research on canola oil-derived omega-3 at the recent NutraIngredients Omega-3 Summit, held from 20 to 22 February in Singapore.
WATCH: Entity Health and Pharmako on key considerations for delivery system innovation in APAC
Australian firms Entity Health and Pharmako Biotechnologies have identified the key factors supplement firms should consider when investing in delivery system innovation in APAC.
With growing research and consumer interest around bioavailability in health foods and dietary supplements, brands and suppliers have been exploring a variety of novel delivery systems that eschew the traditional capsule, pill and tablet formats.
Some companies have even developed their own proprietary delivery systems, with nutraceutical brand Entity and biotechnology firm Pharmako among them.
Healthy Ageing APAC Summit: Snap up early bird tickets by March 29
Delegates wanting to discover the latest insights from PepsiCo, Nestlé, BioCeuticals, Kirin and Danone, alongside a raft of other big brands, leading academics and industry experts at the second Healthy Ageing APAC Summit, have until March 29 to take advantage of our early bird registration rates.
The summit will take place at the Hilton Singapore between July 9 and 11, and assess nutrition and food solutions to Asia-Pacific's population challenges.
The Asia-Pacific region is currently home to about 60% of the world's population of older people, defined as those aged 60 years or older.
Bridging the knowledge gap: Indian association ENAC sets up post-graduate nutraceutical course with tertiary institutions
Indian trade organisation the Expert Nutraceutical Advocacy Council (ENAC) will run a one-year post-graduate diploma course in food technology and nutraceuticals with tertiary institutions in India, to bridge the gap between industrial needs and academic curriculum.
The SIES College of Arts Science and Commerce (SIESCASC) and the Pravera College of Pharmacy are expected to run the course from June this year. SIESCASC will be providing 20 placements, while the batch size for Pravera College has not yet been confirmed.
Students will need to have at least a degree in Life Sciences or Pharmaceuticals to study the course.
