Tongkat Ali for women: Malaysia firm studies botanical for menopause relief
Tongkat Ali is traditionally associated as an aphrodisiac for men, but a Malaysia firm has concluded a clinical trial showing how it could relieve menopausal symptoms in women.
Biotropics Malaysia has conducted a clinical trial on Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) could improve the wellbeing of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women at dosage of 50mg and 100mg for 12 weeks.
The randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group involving 150 women aged 40 to 55 years old has concluded last year, with results pending publication in a scientific journal.
BGG expands astaxanthin facility in China as part of ambition to double sales by 2028
BGG has invested into expanding its astaxanthin manufacturing facilities in China to realise its ambition of doubling sales by 2028.
The move comes on the back of global interest for astaxanthin and its other ingredients for healthy ageing and beauty-from-within nutraceuticals and topical products.
Prior to this, the company has seen a major expansion between 2023 and 2024, which it said has increased its production capacity by more than twice and cemented its position as the world’s largest astaxanthin producer.
China’s Wecare Probiotics to advance US, Europe markets post award win
China’s Wecare Probiotics said it would be advancing its market presence in the US and Europe after bagging a win for Ingredient of the Year: Sports Nutrition at the NutraIngredients Awards 2025.
The company took home the title with its probiotic ingredient Weizmannia coagulans BC99 at the awards ceremony held in Barcelona on May 21.
The Bacillus coagulans strain was praised by the judges for its clinical trial evidence, as well as its improvements in areas beyond muscle quality.
Thai Union debuts marine collagen, pours US$30m in new processing factory
The ingredients arm of Thai Union has launched its first marine collagen derived from tuna skin and has invested US$30m into building a processing factory specially dedicated to producing marine collagen ingredients.
This is to tap on the opportunities in the global premium collagen markets, including Japan and South Korea.
The company also developed a three-year R&D plan for its ingredients business. For marine collagen, for instance, it plans to explore processing methods that could increase the concentration of certain di-peptides or tri-peptides.
GLP-1 study: Gencor running second trial after positive initial findings
Gencor has started a second clinical trial on its fatty acid amide ingredient and its impacts on metabolic health.
This follows positive findings from its first clinical study and a pilot study, which showed an increase in the body’s GLP-1 production.
The fatty acid amide ingredient studied is oleoylethanolamide (OEA) which Gencor has launched under the brand name Trpti at Expo West in Anaheim back in March.