Degussa’s Introduces New, Improved Alpha-Lipoic Acid Product

Degussa has announced a new formulation of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) with a much longer shelf life, a better taste, and reduced throat irritation. It will now be possible to add the patent pending ALA CD product to many more foods.
Microencapsulated on a molecular level with alpha-Cyclodextrin, the new ALA CD from Degussa is dispersible in water and has a “significantly improved shelf life”, says Degussa. The new product was developed in cooperation with US based Wacker Fine Chemicals, a leading producer of Cyclodextrin.
This new formulation of alpha-lipoic acid has overcome the instability problems experienced when it underwent heat and powder blending processes. An additional problem that has been overcome is the throat irritation that ALA induced.
Discovered in the 1940’s, alpha-Lipoic Acid has been hailed as a unique anti-oxidant. It is water and fat soluble and present in almost all body parts. Contained in health, beauty and mental fitness products ALA has also historically been used as a dietary supplement and for detoxification. It has recently become popular for use as an ingredient in food for diabetics because of its blood glucose lowering properties, says Degussi. Alpha-Lipoic Acid has also become popular in the area of sports nutrition in recent years. It influences the absorption of Creatine, which is involved in energy production in the human body, the company claims.
“ALA CD allows the incorporation of alpha-Lipoic Acid into shelf stable foods in which shear forces are used during production. Additionally, the particle size can be adjusted by grinding” says Dr. Martin Purpura, Technology Manager with Degussa Food Ingredients.
Degussa synthesizes solvent-free alpha-Lipoic Acid under a patent protection process and markets it under the trademark Alipure. Wacker Fine Chemical and Degussa will cooperate in the production of the new ALA CD. “The collaboration will give us the opportunity to boost our cyclodextrin activities and to successfully participate ina quickly growing market,” says Dr. Gerhard Schmid, President of Wacker.
Oral consumption of alpha-Lipoic Acid may result in slight throat irritation and this fact
Due to a slight throat irritation from oral consumption, alpha-Lipoic Acid development was previously restricted to hard or soft gels.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid must be protected form the light and shows a limited stability in powder blends, especially in combination with alkaline ingredients, Degussa says. The product must also be protected from temperatures above 40°C due to potential degradation by polymerization.

“Recent regulatory approval of alpha-Lipoic Acid as food in Japan will result in an even stronger global growth of alpha-Lipoic Acid based products” added Dr. Ralf Jäger, Manager Strategic Projects with Degussa Food Ingredients. “The improved product properties of ALA CD and the December 2004 US-FDA notification of alpha-cyclodextrin as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for food applications will support the sale of our new product in addition to the broad clinical evidence of alpha-Lipoic Acids benefits.”

In addition, Degussa Food Ingredients will launch a new liquid formulation for beverages and soft gels with improved solubility and stability as well as clinically proven improved bioavailability in the near future.

www.degussa.com