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The positive health effects  of probiotics are why Associate Professor Liu Shao Quan, who is part of the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Food Science and Technology Programme, has dedicated part of his research to developing new probiotic foods and drinks that could appeal to more people and expand the options for a healthier diet. Over the past few years, he and his students have created probiotic beer – a first in the market – and two other probiotic beverages made with durian pulp and okara respectively. Okara is soy pulp that is leftover from the production of soy products such as soy milk and tofu. The probiotics problem At this year’s Vitafoods Asia 2018 conference, which will take place on Sept 11 and 12 at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Prof Liu will speak about the difficulties of keeping probiotics alive in foods and drinks, and his research to improve their survival chances. Prof Liu’s talk is titled “Improving the Viability of Probiotics in Food”. He explained: “Many foods and beverages are acidic, and acids inhibit probiotics’ survival and activity. Besides, when foods and beverages are stored at elevated temperatures, probiotics can grow and produce more acids. This will lead to the probiotics’ death and decrease the health benefits of the foods and beverages.” He noted that some microorganisms can help to protect probiotics and improve their odds of survival, but the mechanisms of the process are not well-understood. He and his students experimented with different probiotic strains, yeasts and cultures in creating their beverages. “Beers contain hop acids that prevent the growth and survival of probiotics, but we successfully developed a beer with live probiotics. Our probiotic durian beverage and probiotic okara beverage also have high cell counts of live probiotics,” he said. Breakthroughs in […]

Visitors to the upcoming Vitafoods Asia Exhibition and Conference in Singapore, 11-12 September 2018, will discover a rich learning environment to discover all aspects of the development and application of nutraceuticals, through to product positioning, branding and marketing, inclusive of how to overcome regulatory challenges in various markets. Health care spending in the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to double by 2050, opening opportunities to market alternative remedies and fortified foods. Across Asia, and especially in China and India, increased disposable income, coupled with ageing populations, are impacting the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, along with blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiac diseases. Inadequate nutrition, due to busy lifestyles, and the high cost of healthcare are also factors. Joint health, gut health, bone health and weight management are expected to be future demand drivers. Asia Pacific is now the largest regional market for dietary supplements and vitamins. Malaysia and India for instance, are grappling with the impact of rapid urbanisation on the diet. Demand functional, hearty-healthy foods, for example, is rising. Aside from products developed in Western societies, across the region, consumers are buying products that are enriched with locally-sourced compounds and functional ingredients like probiotics, fibre, calcium or vitamin E; herbs such as tongkat ali and ginseng; along with cultured milk drinks; probiotic yogurts; and cereals that are fortified with fibre; plus, Omega-3 fortified eggs. Vitafoods Asia showcases key suppliers of such ingredients and raw materials that are used in functional foods. Alongside these suppliers, visitors to the exhibition can source contract manufacturers and private labellers, as well as finished goods manufacturers. To tackle alertness and reduce calorie consumption, as well as hydrate with performance additives, athletes and gym enthusiasts in countries like China and India are driving demand for nutrition through functional beverages. Energy drinks, sports drinks & nutraceutical drinks are the fastest […]

It’s early days. It was a momentous occasion the meeting between Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae In and here’s hoping for better times for the divided Koreas – to become as one or at least open North Korea to become a more open society. If the change comes about then it can be the difference between the light being on and the light being off. A light – an opening up of their society and markets and the freedom to trade throughout Asia and the world in the future. Why not think like this? Let us change the perception that the kingdom with a mark against it can’t change. That they can be part of a brighter future and that it doesn’t all have to do with the United States. This needs to be the positive message we can all be part of. So, let’s take small steps…let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let us consider that in the future North Korea can be part of each of our company’s business negotiations through trade, creating opportunities for that country as part of a positive, go-ahead Korea.