Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is a principal component of our bone, skin, muscle and ligament structure. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which may lead to aging skin and wrinkles.
Lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition, smoking or even too much sun exposure may also damage collagen production which is why a loss of collagen is such a current consumer pain point. Companies like DERINICE, who we will introduce in more detail below, have spotted this as an opportunity in the frozen dessert market as a way of satisfying a consumer need and improving the functional benefits of a popular category at the same time.
The global collagen market size is expected to reach USD 7.5 billion by 2027, expanding at a revenue-based CAGR of 6.4% with marine collagen courses seen as superior to that of bovine or porcine sources, owing to its high absorption rate and bioavailability. Collagen already exists as a food supplement across many food categories. Garden of Life is a great example of international innovation within the beauty-from-within industry for collagen food supplements boasting products like Collagen Protein Shake, Collagen Turmeric, and Collagen Creamer to name a few. We are seeing more of an increase in these added-value collagen products with other brands like Olly’s who recently launched their Collagen Gummies and Lewis Road Creamery with their Collagen Jersey Milk. With collagen being introduced into so many food categories, it makes sense that we can also incorporate it into ice-cream and other frozen desserts.
WHY IS COLLAGEN RETENTION IMPORTANT?
Collagen is most well-known for its association with firmer and smoother skin in the healthy-aging process but there are several other benefits that can also be experienced by having an increased level of collagen:
Reduction in wrinkles and overall improvement in skin elasticity.
Less stiff and more flexible tendons and ligaments.
Increased muscle mass and strength.
Decreased joint or osteoarthritis pain.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
It is not possible for collagen to be absorbed by the body in its whole form. This means that collagen proteins must be broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids before they can be absorbed which is why collagen supplements are usually already broken down into peptides of two or three amino acids in order to increase their bioavailability.
DERINICE has patented a process to integrate collagen peptides (piscine / marine sourced) into ice-cream, through a powdered oral delivery system and they have even developed a prototype (pictured below), incorporating 25g of collagen into a delicious pint of ice cream.
There are many options for collagen food supplements out there today but a lot of people find these methods of delivery unpalatable, hard to swallow or cumbersome to make. Many of these products have also undergone partial hydrolysis, which means that the collagen has not been fully broken into peptides and is therefore not absorbed as well. DERINICE’s collagen peptide ice-cream offers an effective escape that will have you looking and feeling younger!
WHO IS DERINICE?
DERINICE is an IP & Technology company developing patented solutions to integrate functional ingredients in frozen desserts. As part of the INNODELICE ecosystem, they are offering their technological solutions through the sale or licensing of their patents. Their collagen delivery system in ice cream is already EU patented and US pending.
Their award-winning formula is unique because most companies will infuse collagen into their products, which likely means sprinkling with or mixing in a small amount. In a standard batch pasteurization process, collagen denatures and burns quickly leaving the process and the manufacturing line unusable for the commercial production. DERINICE, on the other hand, use a vacreation method or ultra-high temperature method for pasteurisation, which only takes seconds to conduct and ensures that a higher quantity of better quality collagen is incorporated into the ice cream.
If you are looking to develop your “better-for-you” product offering, collagen is the next trend to keep in mind. Contact us and learn more about how you could launch collagen ice cream in your portfolio.
ABOUT INNODELICE
Founded by former executives in the Ice Cream industry, INNODELICE aims to create a worldwide ecosystem of solutions within the frozen dessert industry. Thanks to the relationships fostered by INNODELICE, manufacturers, brands, importers, distributors and suppliers can discover, buy and sell solutions to GROW their business. These solutions include co-manufactured and branded products as well as innovative and competitive ingredients, packaging and services. Our collaboration model generates lower costs and fewer risks for our participating partners while optimising their time to market. To learn more about INNODELICE, contact Nicolas MARIE (nicolas.marie@innodelice.com), Andrea MONTREUIL (andrea.montreuil@innodelice.com) or visit www.innodelice.com.