Novozymes is launching Saphera Fiber, a new lactase enzyme to increase the content of fibres while also reducing sugar in fermented and non-fermented dairy products.

A recent study is said to show that 59% of consumers are more likely to buy dairy products with higher fibre content, and 38% of them are willing to pay more for a higher content of fibre in their dairy products. 

“Saphera Fiber is a new lactase that has been developed to help dairies bring new innovation to the market, as it enables development of products with nutritional claims. Being a biological solution, it also makes it possible to manufacture dairy products in a sustainable way with less use of artificial or chemically produced ingredients,” said Emmanuel Michelot, Launch Manager at Novozymes. 

The new lactase enzyme works by converting lactose contained in the milk into GOS fibres (galactooligosaccharides). It does so without reducing the natural sweetness of dairy products. 

GOS fibres derive from the lactose in cow’s milk and is often associated with improved digestive health. 

“With Saphera Fiber, dairies can open the door to new innovation and new markets as it enables them to develop the new type of products consumers are asking for,” Michelot said. “Saphera Fiber is a new move into this frontier: It’s a lactase that provides innovation opportunities for brands to combine fibre claims in reduced sugar product formulations.”