Kemin’s Algae-Sourced Beta-Glucans Offer Immune Benefits for Functional Formulation

Photo © iStockphoto.com/buccaneership

Global nutritional-ingredient manufacturer Kemin (Des Moines, IA) launched a line of algae-sourced, GMO-free beta-glucan ingredients at the SupplySide West tradeshow, in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, September 27.

Called BetaVia, the new line of beta-glucans is sourced from Euglena gracilis, a proprietary strain of algae-distinguishing the ingredient from the yeast- and mushroom-based immune health ingredients already available to functional food and beverage formulators. According to the company, Kemin’s own in vitro and animal studies show that the ingredients can “prime key immune cells, thereby strengthening the body’s immune defenses."

One of the two ingredients in the line, BetaVia Complete, is a nutrient-dense dried whole algae fermentate with benefits that support a healthy immune system and “general well-being,” according to the release. The ingredient comprises more than 50 percent algal-source beta-glucans and more than 20 percent protein, with essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Meanwhile, the other ingredient in the line, BetaVia Pure, delivers a more concentrated package of immune-support components, with an algal beta-glucan content of more than 95 percent-the highest purity of beta-glucans currently available on the market, the company states.

“At Kemin, we’re committed to providing high quality dietary ingredients that serve the needs of our customers and benefit human health,” said Anita Norian, president, Kemin Human Nutrition and Health, in the release. “We recognized an opportunity to serve our customers in the global immune health market, so we’re very excited to offer algae-sourced beta-glucans.” Moreover, the company has launched a new BetaVia research program that Norian said will “bring cutting-edge science and claims to customers.”