Weekly Trade Information-138

The Value of Silybin

In some European countries, silybin is a clinical medicine with the trade names Legalon and Silimarit. It can be used as an adjuvant treatment for liver poisoning (such as Amanita phalloides poisoning), chronic hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. These preparations are sodium salts obtained by neutralizing silybin after it is esterified and grafted with dihydro succinic acid at the 2' and 3' positions. They have good water solubility and are suitable for administration by routes other than oral administration. In 2011, the European Union granted Legalon the status of an orphan drug, with the indication of preventing liver transplant recipients from being affected by the recurrence of hepatitis C.

In terms of skin care, silybin has multiple effects. It can protect the skin from environmental toxins, has anti-inflammatory effects, inhibits epidermal hyperplasia and skin cancer caused by ultraviolet rays, prevents sunburn, and promotes the repair of DNA damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Weigao Daily- Hidden Mysteries in Amino Acids

Threonine: The manufacturers' quoted prices remain stable for the time being. The quoted prices in the trading market are CNY 9.5-9.8 per kilogram, and the market purchase and sales are sluggish. Currently, the price has dropped to a low level, and the manufacturers' sentiment of maintaining prices is gradually rising. The quoted prices are stable. Some end-users have started to make purchases, mainly signing orders based on rigid demand. The market price has stopped falling. We will pay attention to the subsequent order signing progress of the manufacturers.

(Source: Weigao Daily)

Ergothioneine Derived from Mushrooms: Set to Rise in the Health Industry

The role of mushrooms has gone beyond that of a simple cooking ingredient. An increasing number of consumers are aware that dietary supplements extracted from fungi may bring multiple health benefits and are willing to try these products. According to data from SPINS, within the 52 weeks ending December 3, 2023, mushrooms became one of the 25 best-selling ingredients in the natural channel, with sales increasing by 28% year-on-year. Among cognitive health products, mushrooms rank at the top, with their sales rising by 42% compared to last year. Ganoderma lucidum also performs quite remarkably, becoming one of the best-selling cognitive health ingredients, with a 21% growth in sales.

(Source: New Nutrition)

The Giant Coca-Cola has Also Set Its Sights on Prebiotic Soda, and a Brand in the Same Category Has an Annual Revenue of 3.6 Billion Yuan

Over the past 20 years, the overall consumption of soda in the United States has shown a downward trend. The fact that consumers are paying more and more attention to their health is an important reason for the decline in popularity of soda.

However, soda containing prebiotics/probiotics is an exception. While soda is gradually losing its favor, many emerging brands have emerged in this category - Olipop, Poppi, Culture Pop, and Zevia. Most of the new sodas produced by these brands contain soluble fiber and prebiotics/probiotics, and their brand promotion focuses on highlighting the positive effects of this kind of soda on health, such as supporting gut health and promoting digestion.

On February 18th, Coca-Cola announced that its brand Simply will launch a new series of prebiotic soda called Simply Pop. Simply is known for its naturalness, simple ingredients, absence of additives, and diverse flavors. Coca-Cola initially launched this brand to meet consumers' demand for healthy and high-quality beverages. The product line of Simply includes various fruit juices and fruit juice beverages, and now prebiotic soda has been added to it.

(Source: FBIF)

Kagome: The Extraordinary Journey from a Single Tomato to a Global Food Giant

Kagome, a name now renowned in the global food industry, originated from a simple yet visionary dream in a small village. From the rural areas of Japan in the late 19th century to the present-day leading enterprise in vegetable and tomato products worldwide, after more than a century of struggle and innovation, Kagome has always adhered to the concept of "nature and health" and continuously explored the future of food. From the very first bottle of ketchup to today's diversified fruit and vegetable beverages and functional foods, every step of Kagome is filled with the spirit of innovation and adventure.

During this journey, Kagome has not only led the popularization of Western-style diets in Japan but also, through technological innovation and global expansion, become one of the most influential food companies in the world. Nowadays, with the increasing global demand for health and sustainable development among consumers, Kagome is on the path of transformation from a "tomato company" to a "vegetable company".

(Source: FoodTalks)