Marigot and GTC Nutrition Awarded for CalciLife Concept

The CalciLife concept innovatively combines two signature products, Marigot's Aquamin multi-mineral scientifically proven product and GTC Nutrition's prebiotic NutraFlora short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS).

08/07/09 The 2008 Frost & Sullivan Global Food and Beverage Prebiotics Product Innovation Award has been presented to Ireland-based Marigot Ltd. and U.S.-based GTC Nutrition for their unique partnership product concept - CalciLife. This prebiotic-based mineral absorption-enhancer aims at simultaneously promoting bone, digestive and immune health.

"The companies have answered the needs of a growing consumer demographic by innovatively targeting nutrition and health within the developing global functional food ingredients market with their science-based combination product," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Dr. Deborah Cross. "CalciLife has an attractive future as a fortification product, with bone health-enhancing effects."

The CalciLife concept innovatively combines two signature products, Marigot's Aquamin multi-mineral scientifically proven product and GTC Nutrition's prebiotic NutraFlora short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS). Utilising the multi-mineral absorption and enhancement facility of the prebiotic and sourcing the minerals from a novel seaweed source, the product format within CalciLife delivers an optimised mineral delivery system for consumers, particularly for calcium delivery in the context of bone health.

"This product combination supports multiple benefits in mineral absorption and bone health and also in digestive and immune health," states Dr. Cross. "This product is strongly tailored toward the functional foods market."

Aquamin and CalciLife both contain an array of 74 trace minerals, including a dairy- and allergen-free calcium source. As a result, the Aquamin ingredient is suitable for consumption by lactose-intolerant individuals. Such a focus fills a niche in the market, meeting the need of the increasing numbers of lactose intolerant consumers.

CalciLife is unlike other marine-derived ingredients, with its unique function of improving organoleptic properties when compared to other calcium sources. This function ensures that the finished product is clean-tasting and has no tainting when consumed.

This product is also unusual in that the calcium source, Aquamin, is derived completely from algal plant sources, and thus can be produced from a sustainable resource. Additionally, the product also has a unique porous structure to absorb any unwanted flavours from oils, fats and liquids within the finished product.

"The competitive advantage of CalciLife arises from its sustainable sourcing and unique composition of over 70 essential trace minerals, giving it a dual-concept and value-added approach," adds Dr. Cross. "Additionally, CalciLife, containing both NutraFlora prebiotic scFOS and Aquamin, offers a combined effect on the texture and product characteristics of the finished food or beverage product."

Aquamin and CalciLife are among a very small number of plant-based calcium sources on the market. All other sources are inorganically-derived. The Aquamin and CalciLife products are available in a variety of product formats, which helps the company to do business with diverse clients in both the functional food and food supplement sectors.

"Thus, this product is a front-runner in the global food ingredients market, and to date has been widely utilised in product applications within the beverage, confectionery and bakery markets, as well as the dairy market," concludes Dr. Cross. Marigot and GTC Nutrition have stated that research into potential applications in ultra-heat treated (UHT) milk, long-life yoghurt drinks and in spoonable yoghurt are ongoing, as well as applications in pain relief.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation is presented to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within its industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by launching a broad line of emerging products and technologies.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.