Swiss Nutrivalor AG, a Centravo Group subsidiary, has unveiled CollaSwiss, a range of collagen peptides for the functional food and supplement sector targeting beauty, longevity, sport and mobility applications.

Stefan Lander, chief sales officer at Swiss Nutrivalor, told NutraIngredients that global interest in collagen peptides is growing, driven by greater health awareness, healthy ageing and increasing demand for functional foods and dietary supplements.

“The general peptide trend is reinforcing this development: specific peptide structures and their potential biological functions are increasingly becoming a focus of research and product development,” he said.

For manufacturers, he added, quality, origin and functional properties are as important as the underlying science, with Swiss production offering controlled processes, traceability and consistent product quality.

Absorption and evidence

There is a wave of research investigating the potential benefits of taking collagen peptides, ranging from resistance training, improved movement, and reduction in wrinkles.

The broad range of these possible benefits is tied to how abundant collagen is in the human body, making up 25-30% of all proteins, and being a crucial component of skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.

Explaining how the body processes collagen peptides, Lander said: “Short-chain collagen peptides obtained through controlled enzymatic hydrolysis can be absorbed particularly quickly and efficiently by the body. They are highly water-soluble, non-gelling and can be used in a wide range of foods and dietary supplements.”

According to Lander, long-chain peptides are further broken down in the digestive tract, with the resulting amino acids serving as building blocks for the body’s own collagen production. He added that certain short peptides, particularly dipeptides and tripeptides, can enter the bloodstream intact and act as signaling molecules.

Lander noted that several studies have investigated the potential benefits of collagen peptides, but cautioned that the strength of the evidence varies by application area and called for further high-quality research.

Application and formats

The CollaSwiss business-to-business range is produced from bovine and porcine collagen peptides and is designed for a range of dosage forms, including tablets, sachet powders, instant and ready-to-drink beverages, shots and gels, gummies, bars and dairy products.

The company said the ingredients have a neutral sensory profile, along with good flowability, wettability and solubility. Swiss Nutrivalor said it is certified to FSSC 22000, the food safety certification scheme.

In terms of relevant application areas , Lander noted that CollaSwiss is suitable for nutraceuticals, beauty-from-within products, sports nutrition, functional foods, beverages, dietary supplements for animals and pharmaceuticals (that have specific technical and quality requirements). The portfolio includes application-specific grades for these areas, he said.

Lander said the microagglomerated CollaSwiss grades have a targeted particle structure that improves wettability and facilitates rapid incorporation into liquids.

Functional beverages and foods are a growth area, he said, where “ingredients are sought that can be incorporated without significantly changing taste, texture, or product properties.”