Nutrileads has announced the publication of peer-reviewed data reportedly demonstrating the immune-modulating properties of its proprietary pectin-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) polysaccharides in the journal Nutrients.
RG-I are plant-derived compounds, that interact with the gut bacteria and the host’s immune system. In selected traditional plant extracts, such pectic polysaccharides have previously been shown to have immunostimulatory effects. However, Nutrileads says, these remedies are often expensive, derived from non-renewable sources, and could face regulatory challenges.
In this recent publication, NutriLeads shows RG-I can be extracted from crops such as carrots and bell peppers, and even obtained from side streams of crop processing. RG-I from both carrot and bell pepper showed immune stimulating and microbiota modulating activity in vitro. Bell pepper RG-I was shown to enhance innate immune responsiveness in a proof-of-concept trial in humans, Nutrilead claims.
Ruud Albers, PhD, CEO of NutriLeads, said: “We are delighted to share these new data, demonstrating the immunomodulatory effects of plant-based RG-I, which have the potential to bring health benefits to us all. We are particularly pleased that we can successfully derive RG-I from sustainable and widely available sources.
“Due to the pandemic, immune health is even higher on the agenda than ever before, and we believe that this research shows that dietary supplementation with RG-I from specific food crops is ideally suited to support immune function and modulate the microbiota. We are well advanced with generating additional evidence showing the immune benefits of carrot derived RG-I and are working together with Food and Food Supplement companies to deliver these benefits to consumers in the second half of 2021.”
Demand for food supplements and food and beverage products with immune health properties has been growing sharply in recent years. The global immune health supplements market alone was estimated to be worth $16.32 bn in 2019 and is expected to reach $29.40 bn by 2027.
NutriLeads’ lead ingredient, BeniCaros, extracted from carrot pomace (a side stream from carrot juice production), has been developed to support immune function. This ingredient is expected to be available in the US for the formulation of dietary supplements and functional foods in H2 of 2021.
