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The supplier, which specializes in eggshell membrane (ESM) ingredients, launched in 2014 to tackle the growing problem of waste generated by food factories, aiming to give a second life to the egg industry waste and contribute to a circular economy.ย
What started as a sustainability research initiative soon evolved into a strong nutraceutical offering, as the brandย realized it had a highly efficacious ingredient.ย
“We ended up with a product with a significantly lower recommended dosage compared to traditional collagen supplements,” Ainara Urtasun Pascual, technical sales specialist at Eggnovo, told NutraIngredients.
According to Pascual some animal-based collagen brands will recommend a daily dose of as much as 15 g,ย but she claimed a dose of 300 mg ofย Eggnovo’s eggshell membrane per day would produce “better effects and in less time”.
And while ‘vegan collagen’ is gaining popularity,ย Pascual explains that collagen by definition must be animal derived, and ‘vegan collagen’ supplements instead contain ingredients such asย vitamin C, zinc and copper that act to boost collagen production.
“And some ‘veganย collagen’ supplements comprise various active elements in small quantities, requiring high doses,” she added.
‘Veggie collagen’โ
“A big part of our mission is explaining the comprehensive benefits of our multi-formula approach,” Pascual said.
“ESM acts in a synergistic way, with naturally containing collagen type I, V and X, as well as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid among other glycosaminoglycans, and more than 200 different proteins, some of them rich in sulfur amino acids,” added Oihane Nieto Iriberri, research and development lead at Eggnovo.
“The natural ESM matrix is composed of hundreds of bioactive protein molecules with infinite physiological functionalities and the capabilities of producing greater effects than those produced by other better-known ingredients such as collagen or even chondroitin and glucosamine.”
An evolving marketโ
Collagen comes from animal bones, and so supplements are usually derived from pigs, beef and fish, however, this is a real barrier to consumers who adhere to certain dietary or lifestyle patterns.
“We found our niche in providing a sustainable vegetarian source of collagen, which recognizes the diverse preferences of consumers, including vegetarians and those with specific dietary or religious considerations,” Iriberri said.
The brand began with a focus on joint health, with its product Ovomet, designed toย reduce joint pain and inflammationโ, aidย cartilage regenerationโย and improve tendon elasticity.ย
But as studies progressed, further benefits emerged including improvements in skin, hair and nails, Pascual said: โEggnovo initially concentrated on joint health, but recognizing the rising demand for beauty from within, we adapted our offerings to cater to individuals seeking preventive actions and holistic well-being beyond joint support.โ
The supplierโs second ingredient, Ovoderm, launched in support of skin health, utilizing the collagen, elastin and hyaluronic-rich qualities of ESM. Research has shown itsย ability to decrease skin trans-epidermal water lossโ, reduce skin fatigue, increase skin hydration and elasticity, and the skin’s general health condition. Itย has also been shown to be an efficient skin recuperator after UV radiation.
To preserve the integrity of the molecules, the brandโs patented technology separates the membrane from the eggshell using only water, unlike other techniques which often use chemicals, further damaging the environment, Iriberri explained.
And continuing with its sustainability drive, the company launched Ovocet, a calcium ingredient made from the eggshell exterior.
Eggshells have been shownโ to containย 380ย mg of calcium per gram and a bioavailability comparable to calcium carbonate. Previous research in isolated cells also found thatย calcium absorption was up to 64% greaterโ from eggshell powder compared to pure calcium carbonate.
“The natural source of calcium has been shown to increase bone densityโ,ย and is potentially of higher nutritious value due to the presence of certain trace elementsโ such as strontium, magnesium, phosphorus and transport proteins,” Iriberri said.
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