FDBusiness.com

Vital Solutions GmbH has published the results of human trials of its mango powder product, Careless, that demonstrate its efficacy in supporting the microcirculation process.

The research comes off the back of previous in vitro studies by the company that found mango powder triggered a ‘master switch’ enzyme – SIRT 1 – that recognised nutrient intake and signalled to other enzymes that controlled the glucose and lipid metabolic process.

The new study took 100mg and 300mg doses of Careless and enrolled ten healthy women in a randomised, double-blind, crossover pilot study to determine optimal dosage.

Results indicated a daily 100mg dose of Careless was sufficient enough to improve microcirculation. Cutaneous blood flow increased over time in nine of the volunteers taking the 100mg dose (54% over pre-values, p = 0.0157) and to a lesser extent with the 300mg dose (35% over pre-value, p = 0.209).
Careless-
Careless’ efficacy was also tested on its ability to activate endothelial nitric oxide synthase, an important regulator for endothelial function. Here, it was tested in vitro in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
Careless—after simulation of digestion—increased the activated form of endothelial nitric oxide synthase dose – dependently by 23% (300 pg/mL), 42% (1500 pg/mL), and 60% (3000 pg/mL) compared to the untreated control.

Following the results of these human trials the company could now file a dossier with the European Food Safety Authority (ESFA) to receive a health claim. Currently, manufacturers in Europe can only make nutritional claims with the mango powder as it is high in fibre.

“The Mango subspecies used for Careless is called Rili-mookku. They are harvested at a special degree of ripeness, when the content of secondary plant ingredients is high and sugar is low. The generic mango powder is obtained by drying juice from ripe fruits,” said Dr Sybille Buchwald-Werner, managing director at Vital Solutions. The resultant powder has found uses as a cereal or cereal bar binding ingredient that could aid stability and good dosage distribution throughout the product.

In terms of vascular health potential the benefits of mango have been well documented. A pilot study that appeared in the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights, indicated consumption of freeze-dried mango may reduce blood glucose levels for obese individuals.

The study identified mangiferin, an antioxidant present in mangos could contribute to the beneficial effects of mango on blood glucose. Mangiferin is present in mango to varying degrees. Its seeds contain 0.42 mg/kg, whilst its peel and pulp contain 1690.4 mg/kg and 4.4 mg/kg respectively.

Last month Vital Solutions opened a new laboratory at Beuth University, Berlin to further develop and showcase their products. In cooperation with the university’s department for food technology, the new facilities will assist in delivering concepts through to production and retail.

“Vital Solutions will also offer internships, bachelor and master projects to the university’s students,” said Buchwald-Werner. “The interaction between university and industry promotes quality of research, knowledge transfer and facilitates innovation.”

The facilities further add to the company’s activities in the education sector having already set up a number of industry partnerships with OsnabrOck University of Applied Sciences, the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, in Munich, and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.

Vital Solutions GmbH was founded in June 2009 and its headquarters are in Langenfeld, Germany. The company develops innovative condition specific ingredients which serve consumer demands for health prevention and help to reduce health care costs.