Dna - Food

Clinical Microbiomics adds long-read DNA and RNA sequencing with DNASense acquisition

01-Mar-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

Danish contract research organisation Clinical Microbiomics has acquired DNASense, which specializes in long-read DNA and RNA sequencing technologies and cutting-edge bioinformatics.

Startup Spotlight

Q&A: Tally Health CEO on slowing down the epigenetic clock

16-Oct-2023 By Asia Sherman

Co-founded by longevity expert and Harvard genetics professor Dr. David Sinclair and serial entrepreneur Whitney Casey, Tally Health entered the market earlier this year as a health ally for anyone looking to improve healthspan and increase longevity.

Muhdo levels up personalised nutrition through epigenetics

31-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Muhdo, the first company to provide nutrition and lifestyle advice based on epigenetic analysis, is set to relaunch with tests and guidance to reveal how individual micro and macro-nutrients impact gene expression and function.

Ginseng: the root to antioxidant and DNA repair

24-Aug-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Ginseng's active components orchestrate mechanisms to slow ageing through enhanced antioxidant enzyme expression and DNA repair, a new review has concluded.

Study elucidates how gene sequencing is helping to untangle precise TCM effects

05-Aug-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new paper seeks to untangle some of the web of TCM effects by summarizing how by high throughput genetic sequencing techniques have been applied to elucidate the bioactives at work.

Updated version

Despite dismal past, experts say DNA tests still hold great promise, though view is not universal

03-Aug-2022 By Hank Schultz

The use of DNA technology holds great promise for botanical ingredient identification, experts have said. But whether these tests are as yet fit for purpose is something still not universally accepted within the industry.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Pro athletes launch DNA-focused gut-friendly sports nutrition startup

06-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A team of pro athletes from Belgium have created a gastrointestinal-friendly sports nutrition startup with the addition of DNA-based nutrition advice.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

DNA-based meal shakes startup gets a big sales boost

17-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

DNA-based personalised meal shake startup Nutri-Genetix (NGX) is looking to expand its footprint across the UK after gaining investment of £500,000.

Study explains improved outcomes with gene-specific diets

10-Dec-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The Theory of Planned Behaviour provides an explanation as to why genetic-based lifestyle interventions create better behaviour change than population based interventions.

'Game changing' research discovers 'striking' links between genes and gut bacteria

25-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Specific genes are linked to the existence and amount of certain gut bacteria, according to new research involving nearly 4,000 individuals which authors say could transform our understanding of common diseases, including obesity, irritable bowel syndrome,...

Personalized nutrition: Adapting to the evolving tech space

29-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Technology has disrupted several industries, and nutrition is no exception.

Company offers personalized probiotics based on DNA microbiome testing

31-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

A new company is claiming to offer ‘precision’ probiotics to consumers based on DNA testing of their individual microbiomes.

Ponce De Leon Health launches supplement to help resist aging

25-Oct-2019 By Danielle Masterson

The aging of the world's population makes for a potential broad market for the latest anti aging supplement from Ponce De Leon Health.

Diet secrets could be revealed with DNA 'metabarcoding'

24-Oct-2019 By Nikki Hancocks

DNA metabarcoding could be a promising new way to accurately track people’s diets, according to new research.

Personalised nutrition in Taiwan: Technology, affordability, and celebrity-backing driving consumer interest

29-Nov-2018 By Tingmin Koe

The understanding and demand for gene testing and personalised nutrition are growing in Taiwan, according to TCI Gene, a Taiwanese firm.

Eurofins partners with DuPont for strain level probiotic genotyping assays

16-Jul-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Responding to the need for strain-specific probiotic testing, Eurofins becomes the first third party laboratory to employ DuPont’s polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) genotyping assays to identify probiotics at the strain level.

Consumer acceptance: Novel probiotics are beneficial, but the food industry is 'its own worst enemy' on GM technologies

22-Feb-2018 By Nathan Gray

Efforts to mine for hugely beneficial new strains of probiotics are gaining momentum across the globe, but the food industry is its own worst enemy when it comes to aiding consumer acceptance of new technologies, according to experts at the recent IPA...

Special Edition: Innovation in Dietary Supplements

Innovation reforming supply of botanical ingredients

15-Feb-2018 By Hank Schultz

Innovation doesn’t always concern new products on the shelf. In the past few years organizations active within the dietary supplement industry supply chain have brought forth new ideas that are transforming how botanical products are sourced, and how...

View from the Editor's Chair

Where’s the innovation in dietary supplements? Part 1: From supply chain to new science

15-Feb-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A couple of years ago the CEOs of some of the industry’s specialist retailers were lamenting what they saw as a lack of innovation in dietary supplements, but there is much to be excited about in dietary supplements and innovation is everywhere.

Start-up LifeDNA recommends skincare products, supplements, based on genetics

26-Jan-2018 By Adi Menayang

What can our DNA tell us about our skincare needs? A lot, according to Cyril Moukarzel, CEO and co-founder of Hawaii-based LifeDNA.

Genetic testing can have implications for use of caffeine in sports nutrition

03-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

You can’t yet find the next great athlete by doing a genetic test. But you can determine who is most likely to benefit from caffeine, a common sports nutrition ingredient

AHPA supports NIST in DNA testing program

30-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

A new government program being facilitated by the American Herbal Products Association will assess the reliability of current DNA techniques for botanical identification.

IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2017

There's opportunity in new probiotic enumeration technology, says expert

21-Jun-2017 By Adi Menayang

Analyzing and identifying probiotic strains in a finished product is becoming increasingly crucial as probiotic-infused food, beverages, and supplements climb further into consumer interest.

Indena’s DNA authentication program raises the bar for quality and traceability

19-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

With a unique herbarium, a new “DNA Tested” seal, and exclusive access to “breakthrough” handheld genomic technology for botanical ID testing, Indena is “giving a pragmatic solution to the industry”, says the company’s marketing director.

Synbio ingredients have vast market penetration, new list shows

17-Mar-2017 By Hank Schultz

Synthetic biology, or GMO 2.0 as some are calling it, has vastly more penetration in the marketplace than was previously believed. That’s the takeaway from the assembly of the first list of such ingredients.

FOODVISION 2017

FOODVISION: DNA testing just ‘one part of the jigsaw’

13-Mar-2017 By Will Chu

Advances in DNA testing mean deeper insights can be made into how people use food for fuel, or how fast a nutrient is metabolised.

Ashwagandha root extracts shows anti-aging effect: Cell study

23-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Extracts from Ashwagandha root may significantly increase telomerase activity, thereby protecting against telomere loss and potentially delaying aging, suggest new results from a cell study.

Lycopene, lutein supplements show skin protection from within against UV radiation

07-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of a lycopene-rich tomato nutrient complex or lutein may protect against the damaging effects of UV exposure on the skin, says a new study.

Next Gen sequencing still not mature enough to use as standard botanical test method, experts argue

28-Oct-2016 By Hank Schultz

The hesitancy of the foodborne pathogen testing industry to adopt Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for DNA tests is a signal that the technology is immature and needs further refinement before it can become a standard tool, the authors of a recent paper...

Firm champions sports nutrition on another (genetic) level

20-Oct-2016 By Shane STARLING

Beverly Hills-based FitnessGenes is bringing its DNA-driven personalised nutrition concept to sportspeople at all levels – and has moved across the pond to the UK and Europe. Is the sports world ready for personalised nutrition?

NSF revises herbal review presentation, clarifies ‘adulteration’

28-Sep-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A provocative webinar from NSF International has been revised to remove use of the term “adulteration” to clear up confusion over the use of the word.

Adulteration with bindweed: A big concern that nobody is talking about?

26-Sep-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A new study by NSF International indicates that the majority of the 1,200 botanical samples tested using next gen DNA techniques are adulterated, with 30 different toxic species found in close to 150 samples.

Expert review: ‘DNA barcoding unsuitable as a stand-alone tool for identifying & authenticating botanicals’

13-Jul-2016 By Stephen Daniells

DNA barcoding to identify and authenticate botanical ingredients in dietary supplements should only be used in addition to other existing analytical methods, says a new expert review.

What’s a GMO? Mushrooms, ‘gene-editing’, and a brave new world for regulators?

19-Apr-2016 By Elaine Watson

News that non-browning mushrooms developed with a gene-editing tool called CRISPR/Cas9 would not be subject to regulation by USDA has prompted a fresh debate about what ‘GMOs’ are, and whether the regulatory framework governing biotech crops is fit for...

Magnesium right on time as role in body rhythms is recognised

15-Apr-2016 By Will Chu

The amount of magnesium in the diet plays a central role in helping to adapt to the rhythms of night and day, researchers have discovered.

Continual magic bullet view of DNA barcoding frustrates testing expert

25-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

A recently aired media report once again seemed to elevate DNA testing to magic bullet status. It’s a development that dismays Danica Harbaugh Reynaud, PhD, one of the foremost experts in the DNA testing of plants.

NSF International acquires DNA-testing lab AuthenTechnologies

06-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

NSF International has acquired AuthenTechnologies in time to meet the increasing demand of DNA testing and certification.

DNA tests still lack the kind of certainty the public expects, researcher says

10-Nov-2015 By Hank Schultz

DNA is a potentially powerful technology that has pitfalls for botanical identification, attendees at a recent industry event were told.

Alkemist Labs rolling out Next Generation Sequencing DNA testing

02-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Costa Mesa, CA-based Alkemist Labs is adding Next Generation DNA Sequencing to its arsenal of testing capabilities, in response to customer demand for the technology.

DNA barcoding is here to stay, UNPA's Israelsen warns industry

25-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

The application of DNA barcoding to herbal supplements - which in the hands of the NY AG has been used as a bludgeon - could be turned into a significant boon for the industry, said United Natural Products Alliance president Loren Israelsen. The organization...

Supplier unveils new thermogenic ingredient, DNA testing of botanicals

16-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

Novel Ingredient Services plans to launch an updated thermogenic ingredient for supplements and functional foods at the upcoming Supply Side West trade show. In addition, the company will highlight a new DNA testing regimen for incoming raw material.

Ingredients made via synthetic biology won’t qualify for Non-GMO Project verified stamp

16-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

Food ingredients produced using ‘synthetic biology’ techniques – such as Evolva's vanillin, which is made from genetically engineered baker’s yeast - do not qualify for the Non-GMO Project Verified stamp, says the Non GMO Project.

The lasting impact of maternal malnutrition: DNA study finds altered gene experssion in 59 year olds

15-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

A new genome-wide DNA study of adults born during the Dutch Hunger Winter has documented the lasting impact of malnutrition during pregnancy on gene expression in adults.

DNA barcoding and its reference materials

Gaia Herbs VP: An assay is only as good as the reference material

12-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

As questions swirl about the applicability of DNA barcoding for testing botanical extracts, other questions involve the reference materials used to test the products.

Probiotic strain counting: New method proposed at Probiota

09-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

A new method of quantifying probiotic content in products promises greater accuracy and efficiency, according to emerging research.

Failure to refer to established national standards calls AG investigation into question, experts say

04-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

The New York state attorney general’s investigation into allegedly substandard herbal dietary supplements was flawed from the start by an inexplicable failure to refer to national standards established for the testing of such products, experts say.

GNC, Walgreens, Target and Walmart sent cease and desist letters

‘Uninformed’, ‘inappropriate’ and ‘premature’: Industry experts round on NY AG’s action against major retailers over failed DNA tests for herbal supplements

03-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The New York Attorney General has sent letters to GNC, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens telling them to stop selling some herbal supplements after DNA tests found 79% didn’t contain the labeled substance or contained other non-listed ingredients. Analytical...

Expert foresees savvy supplement companies offering both GMO-free and 'made with GM technology' brands

27-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Opponents of the labeling of genetically modified ingredients have spent millions to defeat the various state ballot measures on the issue. At least as far as dietary supplements are concerned, that money was spent out of a misguided fear, said one influential...

Resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory mechanism may explain ‘French paradox’

05-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

New research outlining the biological pathways that activate an anti-inflammatory effect could provide a mechanism for the suggested cardiac benefits of the resveratrol.