Alzchem Group, a specialty chemicals supplier based in Germany, is set to launch animal-free creatine monohydrate powder specially developed for the food industry.
Creatine is an amino acid found in small amounts in meat and fish; it is also made by the liver and pancreas at a rate of around one gram per day. However, some studies suggest there are benefits to taking additional creatine in supplement form, particularly for athletes. These include increased strength, injury prevention, and more muscle mass. Creatine may also have benefits for cognition, bone health, and skin aging.
“New foods can be functionally upgraded thanks to Creavitalis”
Alzchem has been producing creatine monohydrate — a synthetic, animal-free form of creatine — for over 30 years. However, the ingredient has previously only been available in supplement form. The new product, Creavitalis®, is a fine, tasteless powder that can be incorporated into food products such as meat and fish alternatives. If just 0.5 grams of the powder is added to 100 grams of plant-based meat, the creatine content will be equivalent to animal meat.
“Great opportunities”
Creavitalis will launch for the food industry this autumn, and will be distributed worldwide. Creatine monohydrate has already been approved by the European Food Safety Authority as having benefits for physical performance and muscle mass, while the US Food and Drug Administration has classified the ingredient as Generally Recognized as Safe. As a result, no special approval will be required for food products containing Creavitalis in these markets.
“We see great opportunities, especially for manufacturers of meat substitutes,” said Robert Alber, vice president of human nutrition at Alzchem. “With the addition of creatine monohydrate, they can close a nutrient gap to animal products and thus help consumers to better achieve their nutritional goals. In this way, new foods can be functionally upgraded thanks to Creavitalis.”
