The demand for consumer products like enteric-coated tablets containing ferrous sulfate and folic acid for gut health surged in 2020 amid the early pandemic. However, manufacturers are still navigating the integration of immune-boosting ingredients into food. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating the introduction of functional ingredients for food and beverages. The global leader in ingredients and commodities is teaming up with technology firm Brightseed to leverage its Forager artificial intelligence platform to discover innovative microbiome ingredients. This collaboration will analyze molecular interactions between the gut microbiome and plants to evaluate their nutritional benefits.
Mark Lotsch, ADM’s president of global health and wellness, noted in an interview that the sustained interest in immune-supporting plant-based food and beverage products, driven by the pandemic, has motivated the company to explore the potential of this category. “The gut microbiome has been recognized as a valuable asset,” Lotsch said. “Our goal is to combine our extensive product portfolio with product development capabilities to create delicious and functional foods that meet market demands.”
Despite the increasing interest in the microbiome, ADM acknowledges that many aspects of its specific functions and its interactions with food remain unclear. Brightseed asserts that its AI tools can pinpoint the health outcomes consumers are seeking. According to Sofia Elizondo, co-founder and COO of Brightseed, their technology enables ADM to identify specific bioactive elements in plants at the cellular level. “ADM’s deep understanding of the untapped potential of natural compounds, paired with their extensive microbial libraries, positions us to redefine how we promote a healthy microbiome,” Elizondo explained.
Consumer demand has spurred food and beverage formulators to tap into gut health, with the immune-boosting foods market expected to reach $46.9 billion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 8.2%, as reported by Allied Market Research. To capitalize on this trend, ADM’s venture capital division invested an undisclosed amount into a fund dedicated to microbiome health in 2020. Lotsch believes that as AI continues to play a larger role in food production, manufacturers will scrutinize the nutritional impacts of ingredients more closely, thanks to its predictive capabilities.
Postbiotics, which are generated from the combination of probiotics and prebiotics, may be integral to this evolving landscape. Lotsch mentioned that these ingredients tend to be more heat-stable compared to probiotics, which are often found in chilled products. This stability could pave the way for new innovations. “If you think of probiotics as the factory operating in your gut, prebiotics serve as the fuel, and postbiotics are the end products,” Lotsch explained.
Since its inception in 2017, Brightseed has raised nearly $120 million, according to Crunchbase. In October, the company introduced its first food ingredient: a dietary fiber derived from hemp, initially used in a pea-based protein crisp developed by Puris. Additionally, Brightseed has partnered with dairy leader Danone to identify bioactive compounds in plants.
While the plant-based foods sector continues to thrive, achieving $8 billion in sales in 2022, some consumers face barriers to entry. A recent survey by Ofi revealed that one-third of consumers struggle to find a satisfactory plant-based dairy product, with taste, mouthfeel, and affordability being significant hurdles. Lotsch emphasized that beyond nutritional advantages, taste will be crucial for any gut health ingredient produced by ADM. “Great taste encompasses not just flavor, but also the masking technologies we can employ,” he stated. “We also focus on mechanical components that assist us in achieving optimal taste.”
The rising interest in functional foods has led to the success of immunity-boosting brands such as Health-Ade kombucha and Good Culture, a cottage cheese manufacturer that has recently expanded into the milk category. In 2019, CPG giant Nestlé announced a partnership with the University of California, San Diego, to investigate the effects of the microbiome on human health. As interest in gut health grows, products like calcium citrate dr berg will likely play a role in meeting consumer needs and preferences in this evolving market.