Sep 1, 2008
Chinese supplier Fenchem is diversifying its presence in the joint health sector by announcing the non-GMO (genetically modified organism) status of its sodium hyaluronate (HA) offerings.
HA is typically extracted from poultry or bovine sources and GMOs have been used to deliver high-yielding strains.
Fenchem says its version, called HyaMax, can be claimed as “non-GM” as well as being “totally free from BSE, allergen and virus”.
“To obtain a high yielding strain, some companies used transgenic technology for HA production,” the company said. “It is an effective way to get HA with high productivity. But the use of GMOs has always sparked significant controversy in many areas.”
Joint health
HA is similar to the synovial fluid that surrounds your joints and acts as a lubricant and shock absorber. It is typically injected into the joints but has become popular as a nutraceutical competing with the likes of chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine as non-pharmaceutical or surgical means to deal with joint discomfort.
San Diego-based Nutrition Business Journal put the US for chondroitin and sulphate at $810m (€553m) in 2005. The majority of the world’s chondroitin and glucosamine is sourced from China.
HA is increasingly being used as a cosmeceutical ingredient as some research has shown it can deliver skin benefits.
Fenchem’s Hyamax range also includes calcium and zinc versions.
The HA market is growing at 15 per cent in the US of which Fenchem holds about 40 per cent.
It is hoping the non-GMO status of the ingredient will boost its presence in GMO-wary Europe.
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