Gnosis by Lesaffre and Gencor unlock fermentation alternatives for the botanical space

24 Sep 2024 --- Gencor agreed to distribute Gnosis by Lesaffre’s fermentation-based Landkind Pure Salidroside alternative to the endangered Rhodiola rosea plant on the US market. Experts from the two companies detail why the development of such alternatives is increasingly relevant. 

Gencor and Gnosis by Lesaffre underscore the importance of developing alternatives to botanicals, especially for species in short supply. The companies recently formed a partnership where Gencor distributes Gnosis by Lesaffre’s fermentation-based Landkind Pure Salidroside alternative to the endangered Rhodiola rosea plant on the US market.

“Gnosis has pioneered a new approach through precision fermentation. This technology allows us to produce pure Salidroside without relying on the wild harvesting of Rhodiola plants,” Nicole Lemus, Gnosis by Lesaffre director for the Americas, tells Nutrition Insight. “Precision fermentation involves using microorganisms to produce high-purity, bioactive compounds in a controlled, sustainable environment.”

“Our approach adheres to stringent standards and complies with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species List of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulations, ensuring that our production processes align with international conservation efforts and sustainable practices. Additionally, it provides a stable and high-quality source of pure Salidroside.”

The Salidrose naturally found in some Rhodiola species is widely recognized for its sports performance enhancing properties. Gnosis by Lesaffre’s Landkind Pure Salidroside is, however, currently the only Salidroside product with proven clinical efficacy for energy activation. A recent clinical study also revealed its effectiveness in enhancing oxygen uptake during exercise.

Christopher Bailey, Ph.D., Gencor director of Scientific Affairs, adds: “Some botanicals will face increasingly challenging conditions from climate change, which may lead to price and supply volatility in the future, especially for botanicals grown within limited geographic ranges. These challenges will drive the need for access to bioactives without these concerns, which fermentation is well poised to address.”

Gnosis can produce pure Salidroside through precision fermentation without relying on the wild harvesting of Rhodiola plants.Fermentation-based Salidroside

Lemus tells us more about the reasons behind the expanding significance of the fermentation process behind Landkind Pure Salidroside.

“The growing demand for Rhodiola extract, driven by heightened awareness of its potential health benefits, has raised significant concerns about overharvesting and the sustainability of wild populations,” she details.

“Rhodiola rosea, a hardy perennial herb, is predominantly harvested from wild sources in high-altitude regions of Europe and Asia. The plant’s maturation process is notably slow, taking several years to reach full maturity, which compounds the impact of harvesting on wild populations.”

Lemus explains that the pressure of increased demand and unsustainable harvesting practices has led to a noticeable decline in wild Rhodiola resources. “Overharvesting disrupts the natural regeneration of these plants, reducing their ability to reproduce and repopulate effectively.”

“In response to these growing concerns, the Rhodiola species has been designated an endangered species and added to the CITES appendix of species in which trade must be controlled. This designation highlights the urgent need for responsible sourcing and sustainable harvesting practices to safeguard the future of this valuable plant.”

She asserts that given these obstacles, there is a “pressing need” to explore and develop alternative methods for producing the bioactive compounds found in Rhodiola, such as Salidroside.

Health and taste benefits

Gencor’s Bailey points out that in addition to the sustainability benefits of using fermentation-based production, this process also enhances the health and taste properties of the product.

Fermentation produces a core bioactive, which means the product can be used at low dosages that deliver an impactful benefit.“Sports nutrition products (especially for pre-workouts) thrive on the customer experience, with a particular focus on taste. Fermentation allows for the production of bioactives without the unnecessary fractions of botanicals that, historically, have made some ingredients hard to work with in terms of taste, odor and solubility.”

Lemus continues: “It is important to Gnosis to harness the power of microorganisms and biotransformation processes like fermentation to cultivate nutritional actives sustainably, such as Landking Pure Salidroside.”

“Our precision fermentation process is a technological innovation and a significant advancement in sustainability. It is designed to minimize waste and energy use, further reducing our environmental footprint. Because of this process of producing a core bioactive, we can recommend its use at low dosages that deliver an impactful benefit.”

She concludes: “As we look to the future, it’s clear that this technology has the potential to revolutionize the nutraceutical industry by providing a sustainable, scalable alternative to traditional plant-based extraction.”

By Milana Nikolova

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