Blue California and Massachusetts-based biotech company Conagen are on the path to commercialization for fermentation-derived nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). This high-purity, nature-based metabolic component has caught the attention of health-conscious consumers for supporting energy and longevity.

Seventy-one percent of respondents in Innova’s 2020 Health & Nutrition Survey indicated that it was either “important” or “very important” to choose food and drink products that positively boost nutrition or benefit how the body functions.

Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Ana Arakelian, head of public relations and communications at Blue California, says consumers seek more natural options in F&B solutions with clean labels. “With this trend, they are also looking to find the same ‘health halo’ benefits in supplements associated with fermentation.”

Creating non-synthetic NMN
Current NMN ingredients used in products on the market are produced mainly by chemical synthesis. 

While consumers are exploring dietary supplements for a holistic approach to health, they are also demanding clean labels from their supplements and moving away from synthetic ingredients. 

Blue California’s fermentation-derived NMN opens new opportunities for producers to consider consumers’ health more holistically while acquiring a closer-to-nature position.

“Naturally derived supplements are on the rise, and we are forging the path with our innovation to support the strong interest in fermentation-derived nutritional supplements,” explains Arakelian. 

NMN supplements are highly sought-after for healthy aging applications, including brain health, vitality, heart health, metabolic health and cosmetics. 

COVID-19 and immunity 
The pandemic has consumers reassessing their health and immunity. They are now rediscovering new health goals, including healthy aging and longevity. According to Arakelian, there is a growing demand for NMN.

The so-called “longevity vitamins” such as PQQ, ergothioneine and NMN are naturally progressing into the holistic health category. 

“Consumers are understanding self-care beyond supporting immunity and specific cell functions. Therefore, the demand for more holistic and natural health ingredients are on the rise. It isn’t uncommon to see new launches and producers building awareness around longevity and healthy aging,” she notes. 

Notably, functional ingredients in F&B are “exploding as consumers are exploring new brands and products that offer not only refreshment or indulgence but also a health value to what they are consuming.”

In addition to supporting healthy aging, emerging research suggests NMN’s potential support for immune health, energy and inner beauty, flags Arakelian.

Healthy aging
The quest to age healthily and support longevity is surging among consumers, says Blue California. 

“Consumers are reassessing their dietary regimen to make room for ingredients that can support an increased health span,” adds Dr. Priscilla Samuel, chief science officer at Blue California. 

NMN serves as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme present in all living cells and critical for mitochondrial function. 

Increased intracellular levels of NAD+ boost energy production and improve cellular health, but levels decline dramatically with age. Replenishing NAD+ in the body with its precursor NMN has been proposed to combat age-related degeneration and increase healthy lifespan possibly.  

“Our fermentation-derived offering is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing recognition of NMN as an important ingredient in the food and supplement spaces,” concludes Samuel. 

In May, Blue California’s dihydroquercetin (DHQ) was deemed Generally Recognized As Safe in various foods and beverages following a letter of no objection from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Last August, Conagen also created a proprietary process for the scalable production of non-GMO human milk oligosaccharides. 

It has also previously worked with Blue California on bitter blocker technology and the preservation solution of high-purity rosmarinic acid.