INNOLAB magazine #17.99 by INNOLAB

NUTRACEUTICALS

The 2024-2025 Review

Formulating MOSQUITO REPELLENTS

INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL Matters

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and FOODS SAFETY

Products

FOOD WORKFLOW

From Start to Finish

Precise food cost control is critical throughout your business. You need results that you can trust—you can't afford any errors. OHAUS provides precise, reliable, and affordable equipment to help control inventory and increase processing yields. See how OHAUS products have a place in every stage of your workflow.

PROCESSING

Grading and Sorting

Portioning

In-Production Inventory

The first step in food production comes from grading, sorting, and then portioning food stuffs. In many locations, washdown scales to IP68 are required; other areas need higher-capacity scales for handling bulk incoming quantities. Throughout production, inventory is retaken at each step to control shrinkage and ensure traceability from start to finish.

Bench Scales

Floor Scales

R&D AND QA/QC

Incoming Quality Inspection

Statistical Quality Control

New

Food Development

During food development, both lab equipment and bench scales are used to transform a recipe idea into a scaled-up food concept ready for production. In addition to weight, the moisture content or pH of foodstuffs in processing or in final packaging is tested for long-term freshness, often processed with other lab equipment.

Balances

Bench Scales

pH Meters

Moisture Analyzers

Lab Equipment

PACKAGING

Prepacking Meals

Retail Packaging

Bulk Packaging

Graded or portioned foods are processed and then packaged in a number of formats—bulk for further processing, or individually for prepared meals or retail sale. Individual packages can be checked on checkweighers or bench scales, and palletized shipments or totes can be handled by floor scales. Bench Scales Benchtop Scales

WAREHOUSING

Warehouses handle incoming inventories of foodstuffs as well as stores of packaged goods or totes ready for order fulfillment. Inventories are checked against records and adjustments made to ensure traceability. Customer orders are finally packaged and shipped.

Traditional to National?

ประเทศไทยใช้สมุนไพรมายาวนาน

และแนวทางปฏิบัติทางการแพทย์แผนโบราณ ในช่วงไม่กี่ปีที่ผ่าน

มา รัฐบาลไทยได้พยายามดำาเนินการบูรณาการยาแผนโบราณและ สมุนไพรเข้ากับระบบการดูแลสุขภาพสมัยใหม่ ตอนนี้ รายการยา

สมุนไพรที่สามารถใช้ทดแทนยาแผนปัจจุบันในระบบสุขภาพแห่ง

ชาติมีจำานวน 31 รายการ เช่น การใช้ขมิ้นชันแทนไซเมทิโคน แต่

ความปลอดภัยและประสิทธิภาพยายังเป็นที่กังขา

ความคืบหน้าในตอนนี้คือกรมการแพทย์แผนไทยและการแพทย์ ทางเลือกได้ร่วมมือกับคณะเภสัชศาสตร์ 17 มหาวิทยาลัย

ในการจัดตั้งแล็บเพื่อตรวจสอบผลิตภัณฑ์ เพื่อยกระดับคุณภาพ

Thailand has a long tradition of using herbs as part of its cultural and traditional medical practices. In recent years, the Thai government has been tried to take steps to formally integrate traditional medicine and herbal remedies into the modern healthcare system. Now, there are 31 herbal medicines that can be used as a substitute for modern medicine in the national healthcare system. For examples, turmeric substitute of Simethicone. But safety and efficacy remain questionable. Recently, the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has collaborated with the Faculty of Pharmacy of 17 universities to set up laboratories to test products in order to improve their quality, efficacy and safety. So, we have to keep an eye on it.

Karuna Chinthanorm Chief Editorial Officer

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TEAMWORK

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THINGS YOU

VIETNAM 2025 CONCLUDES WITH RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE AND EXHIBITOR PARTICIPATION

When it comes to B. cereus, you want to be sure.

10 Risky Workplace Behaviors You Might Overlook

Workplace safety is a key foundation of sustainable business operations. Organizations consistently strive to reduce accidents, minimize losses, and create a safe working environment for employees. However, no matter how robust a safety management system may be, if employees continue to engage in risky behaviors, workplace incidents can still occur.

What is particularly concerning is that many risky behaviors are repeated daily. These behaviors may seem minor and harmless, but they can trigger serious and unforeseen incidents. This article presents 10 common risky behaviors often found in various types of workplaces, which are frequently overlooked, along with suggested measures for prevention and behavior modification to foster long-term workplace safety.

Risky Behaviors to Watch Out For:

1. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) incompletely or incorrectly

This increases the risk of injury and occupational diseases. PPE should be checked before each use and selected appropriately for the nature of the task.

2. Using mobile phones while walking or working

This reduces focus and can lead to accidents. Organizations should implement strict policies regarding phone usage.

3. Reaching for items at height without using proper equipment

This risks falls and injuries. A ladder or suitable equipment should always be used.

4. Using power strips or electrical outlets without proper control

This poses a risk of short circuits. Equipment should meet safety standards and be installed appropriately.

5. Failing to report near-miss incidents

This results in missed opportunities to prevent future incidents. Organizations should encourage a culture of nearmiss reporting.

6. Working while physically unfit

This affects focus and safety. Adequate rest and physical readiness should be promoted.

7. Ignoring warning signs or safety barriers

This increases the risk of exposure to hazards. Organizations should instill discipline and understanding of safety signage.

8. Not performing Lockout/Tagout before machine maintenance

This risks entrapment or injury from machinery. Proper Lockout/ Tagout procedures should always be followed.

9. Lack of safety communication during work

This reduces awareness. Safety briefings or discussions should be conducted before commencing work.

10. Wearing inappropriate footwear

This increases the risk of slips, trips, and injuries from sharp objects. Safety shoes suitable for the task should be worn.

Conclusion

The 10 risky behaviors mentioned above are commonly found in everyday workplace environments. Importantly, many of these behaviors can be modified immediately without significant investment while yielding substantial safety benefits.

Building a safety culture is a vital foundation of effective occupational health and safety management within sustainable organizations. It

influences employee behavior, thought processes, and attitudes at every level, from senior management to frontline workers, especially in high-risk industries such as manufacturing, energy, construction and logistics.

A strong safety culture helps reduce incidents, cut costs, and enhance work efficiency. It goes beyond rules and technology to include behavioral, cognitive, and cultural transformation across the organization.

Global leaders such as DuPont, Shell, and Toyota are recognized for their safety culture excellence. These organizations don’t just have robust safety systems - they integrate safety into their corporate values and daily operations using the 3P principle: People, Process, and Performance.

When every employee can identify hazards before they occur and chooses to “not take risks,” safety becomes second nature and no longer relies solely on enforcement.

Transforming risky behaviors into safe ones does not happen overnight. It requires effective communication, continuous training, and participation from every level of the organization, especially leaders and supervisors who must lead by example and encourage safety awareness.

Organizations that successfully reduce accidents often embed safety into their core values - not merely as a legal requirement. Campaigns, safety committees, and recognition programs are examples of strategies that help make safety tangible and relatable.

In today’s world, digital technology plays a significant role in monitoring and analyzing risky behaviors. AIpowered surveillance and wearable devices can analyze fatigue and risky movements in high-risk areas,

enabling organizations to identify system weaknesses and develop targeted safety interventions.

Ultimately, lasting safety begins with employee awareness. Recognizing that safety is not just the responsibility of a single department but a shared duty across the organization helps reduce risks and creates a stable and safe work environment.

Without true awareness from employees, even the best systems cannot prevent accidents. Therefore, organizations seeking sustainable safety should prioritize cultivating internal safety consciousness alongside external controls by:

• Encouraging employees to ask questions like, "Is what I’m doing safe?"

• Focusing training on reasoning rather than commands

• Promoting a culture where employees speak up, intervene, and assist when they see risky behavior

• Recognizing behaviors that demonstrate care for others' safety

Safety investments may not yield instant results, but they are investments in the organization's most asset - its people. When employees feel safe, they work with confidence, perform efficiently, and are ready to grow with the organization sustainably. 

Lifesciences and Specialty Chemicals Business Miracle Chemicals

Laboratory

Chemicals

Laboratory

Glassware

ACS Reagent

High Purity Salts, Solvents and Reagents

HPLC, UHPLC, LC/MS, GC, GCMS

Sample Preparation

products including SPE columns and disks

Consumable

Laboratory

Glassware

Microfiltration

Glassware

HPLC Reservoir

Desiccator

Microbiology

Petri Dish PS

Plasticware

Filter Paper

Membrane Filter

Dehydrate Culture Media

Prepared Culture Media

Protein Hydrolysate

Biological Indicator

Rapid Microbiology

Film Plate Technique

ELISA kits for pathogen detection

things you need to know about Formulate mosquito repellents

Along with climate change and global population growth, mosquito species have made adapted and evolved contributing to the spread of numerous diseases such as dengue fever, zika, malaria, and more. As a result, the demand for mosquito-repellent products has also risen accordingly. According to Lanxess, a company specializing in mosquito-repellent active ingredients, the anti-insect industry is growing faster than the global economy. This article explores the development of active ingredients in topical products that have insect repelling property in general, and mosquito-repellent functions in particular.

Different types of mosquitoes and how they find us

There are various species of mosquitoes, which are generally classified into three main groups:

- Aedes group (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus) – known vectors of diseases such as dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and encephalitis.

- Anopheles group (Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles sinensis, Anopheles dirus) – primary carriers of malaria and certain types of parasitic worms.

- Culex group ( Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex pipiens fatigans) – responsible for transmitting Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes have poor eyesight, so they rely on a combination of other sensory cues to locate their hosts. They detect humans through body odors (lactic acid, ammonia) and carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled during breathing. In addition, mosquitoes can also sense body heat by detecting infrared (IR) radiation emitted from human skin.

How do mosquito repelling agents work?

Mosquito repelling active agents can perform their function by the following mechanisms:

- Disruption of Olfactory Receptors: Mosquitoes rely on olfactory receptors (ORs) to detect human-emitted compounds like 1-octen-3-ol, a component of sweat and breath.

- Interaction with Multiple

Sensory Receptors: some active agents interact with various sensory receptors in mosquitoes, including odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), and ionotropic receptors (IRs), which are distributed on different parts of the mosquito’s body. This interaction disrupts the mosquito’s ability to detect and respond to human cues.

- Formation of a Vapor Barrier: Topical repellents create a vapor barrier on the skin’s surface, which is noxious to the insect’s taste and olfactory senses, deterring them from landing or biting.

History of mosquito repelling agents

Since ancient times, people have known to use various plants to apply to the skin to repel insects. Many ancient tribes (such as the Egyptians, Native Americans, and Indians) used plants like yarrow, black pepper, neem, and citronella to apply to their bodies. In ancient Rome and India, people also used a mixture of vinegar, oil, rosemary, and nutmeg to apply to their skin or burn.

During World War II, due to military needs, many organizations have started experimental programs to test new active ingredients. DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) marked a turning point in the history of mosquito repellents. It was developed by the U.S. military in the 1940s and became widely used by the mid-1950s. Some suppliers consider DEET to be the “first generation” of synthetic insect-

repelling agents in cosmetics. Today, DEET remains the most widely used insect-repellent active ingredient in skin-applied products.

In the 1970s, Merck (Germany) successfully developed IR3535 (Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate), considered the “second generation” of synthetic repellents. Compared to DEET, IR3535 is classified as a “bio-repellent.” The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared IR3535 to be highly effective, especially with a higher safety profile than DEET.

The “third generation” of insect repellent active ingredients is hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate (also known as Icaridin or Picaridin). This ingredient was developed by Bayer (Germany) in the 1980s under the trade name Bayrepel, and since 2005, it has been transferred to the Lanxess group and its subsidiary Saltigo, with Icaridin now marketed as Saltidin. This compound has very low toxicity (EPA class III), does not cause skin or eye irritation, is highly effective, and often outperforms DEET in durability. Icaridin has been designated by the WHO as the “preferred mosquito repellent for malaria prevention.” Icaridin is recommended for children over 6 months of age and is compatible with various materials, including different types of bottles and containers.

In addition to synthetic insect repellents, some ingredient suppliers have also developed natural insectrepelling active ingredients. Citriodiol

is a natural compound, it is approved by the American EPA and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention as one of only a few active ingredients for use against tick and mosquito born disease. In Europe it is recognized to be a unique and effective plant-based active sold for this purpose. There are ingredient suppliers who produce citronella eucalyptus oil (eucalyptus citriodora) that is enriched with citriodiol (with citriodiol of approximately 60%) and claim that this active agent is effective for 5-8 hours and is safe for children over 3 months old.

Points of consideration in formulating mosquito repellents

- Efficacy: The formula should be broad-spectrum, meaning it can repel various types of mosquitoes and other insects. Additionally, it should maintain effectiveness for a certain period - typically between 4

to 8 hours.

- Water and sweat resistance: If the product is intended for outdoor use or in environments where it may come into contact with water or sweat (such as at the beach or during hiking), incorporating water-resistant ingredients is essential.

- Skin and eye safety: All ingredients must be carefully tested for irritation and overall safety on the skin. This is especially important for products applied over long periods or on sensitive skin. If the product is designed for facial application, it should also be evaluated for potential to cause eye irritation.

- Target users: If you are formulating for pregnant women or children, you must not only select active ingredients that are proven safe for these groups but also ensure that all other components in the formula are appropriate for them as well.

- Packaging material: Some insect repellent actives, such as DEET or certain essential oils, can interact with packaging materials, leading to corrosion, deformation, or leakage. Some of the options usually chosen for insect repellents are HDPE, PET, PP, or amber glass. Make sure you choose the right packaging material for the your chosen active agents!

- Regulation: You’ll need to check which active ingredients are approved for use in the countries where you intend to sell the product, along with their allowable concentrations and the registration process. Note that insect repellent products often require longer approval times compared to regular skincare products. For example, in Vietnam, a standard cosmetic registration may take 1015 days, whereas mosquito repellent product registration can take up to 6 months. 

Medical Food: Specialized nutrition for disease treatment

Article info

https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-documents-regulatory-information-topic-food-and-dietary-supplements/medical-foods-guidancedocuments-regulatory-information

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

https://pharm.tu.ac.th/uploads/pharm/pdf/articles/%20(Medical%20Foods).pdf

Cuerda, C., Schneider, S. M., Van Gossum, A., Schäfer, C., Forbes, A., & Kristjánsdóttir, A. (2019). Medical nutrition therapy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 31, 1–7. เข้าถึงจาก: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2019.01.003

Medical food is not ordinary food that anyone can freely choose to consume. Rather, it is a form of “targeted nutritional therapy” specifically designed for certain groups of patients who have dietary restrictions such as those who experience complications from regular food or who cannot absorb nutrients properly.

Definition

According to the U.S. FDA, a medical food is defined as “a food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.”

Why is “Medical Nutrition” becoming increasingly important?

1) Aging Population

Thailand, like many other countries, is entering an aging society. Older adults are at higher risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart conditions, or neurological disorders. These individuals require food that is not just “edible,” but that also helps “manage and control” their conditions.

2) Chronic Diseases Are a Major Issue

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 70% of global deaths are caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and liver disease. Medication alone is not enough, nutritional therapy is needed to help slow disease progression, reduce complications, and lessen the burden of medical costs.

3) The Rise of Personalized Nutrition

Modern medicine has begun to shift its approach from “one-size-fitsall” to “personalized care.” Medical food is a tool that can meet this need because it can design nutrients based on the disease, and sometimes even specific to the patient’s genes and metabolism.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

NCDs are a group of illnesses not caused by infections and not transmissible from person to person. They typically arise from lifestyle and behavioral factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, chronic stress, or genetic predisposition. These diseases are often serious, develop gradually over time, and usually require lifelong management.

There are four main categories of NCDs:

1. Cardiovascular Diseases including ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and stroke (either from a hemorrhage or blocked arteries).

2. Cancers such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer.

3. Diabetes both Type 1 and Type 2.

4. Chronic Respiratory Diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic asthma. Additionally, NCDs also include chronic kidney disease, obesity, certain neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, and lipid disorders (abnormal blood lipid levels).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, NCDs accounted for 71% of all global deaths, equivalent to approximately 41 million deaths per year. Of these: 17.9 million died from cardiovascular diseases, 9.3 million from cancer, 4.1 million from chronic respiratory diseases, and 2 million from diabetes. These figures highlight the urgent need for systematic management of NCDs, particularly through medical nutrition and targeted nutritional therapy designed for specific patient groups. Proper nutrition can help control disease progression and reduce the economic and social burdens these conditions impose. Therefore, NCDs are considered a “silent threat”, gradually accumulating due to everyday lifestyle choices, and they have become the leading cause of death in both Thailand and around the world.

Managing NCDs requires both behavioral changes and specialized care, such as nutritional therapy or medical foods tailored to each specific disease.

Medical nutrition formulas for specific diseases

Formulas for Diabetes Patients: These formulas contain low carbohydrate content and use lowglycemic index carbohydrates, such as soluble fiber, to help manage blood sugar levels.

Examples: Glucerna SR Triple Care®, Boost Care®

Formulas for Kidney Disease

Patients: These are designed with low protein content and restricted amounts of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus to reduce the burden on kidney function.

Examples: Nepro HP™, NOVASOURCE® Renal

Formulas for Liver Disease

Patients : These formulas are enriched with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and have reduced levels of aromatic amino

acids to support protein synthesis and help prevent protein deficiency. Examples:Aminoleban-Oral™, NUTRIHEP®

Formulas for Cancer Patients: These patients require increased energy and protein intake. The formulas often include EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) to help reduce inflammation and muscle loss. Some also contain immunonutrients like Arginine, Omega-3 fatty acids, and Nucleotides to boost immune function.

Examples: Impact®, Prosure®

Formulas for Alzheimer’s

Patients : These are high in healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins such as B6, B12, folate, and vitamin E. They aim to slow cognitive decline, support

neural function, and prevent malnutrition in dementia patients. Examples: Souvenaid ® , Cognivia™

The next step for medical nutrition

Medical nutrition is not just food for the sick, but it is a therapeutic tool that plays a vital role, no less important than medication. For many patient groups, especially those with chronic conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, diabetes, or even patients in critical care (ICU), proper nutrition can significantly influence treatment outcomes. In the future, medical nutrition will become increasingly personalized, thanks to advances in biomolecular science, genetics, and microbiome research. These technologies will enable precise matching of nutrition to each individual’s physiological condition, enhancing both the effectiveness and efficiency of care.

Nutraceutical is an amalgam of two terms, “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical,” hybrid word introduced by Stephen L. DeFelice in 1989, founder and chairman of the Foundation of Innovation Medicine. Nutraceuticals are food products of natural origin owing to health benefits like the improvement of physiological performance and effective various diseases.

Nutraceuticals include a variety of products derived from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements, and genetically engineered designer foods, herbal products, processed foods, and beverages. Among them, “vitaminenriched” health-promoting products and fresh foods like vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods populated with live cultures can be functional foods with probiotic benefits. Thus, nutraceuticals provide a proactive healthcare approach with tremendous therapeutic impacts on the human body. Nutraceuticals are a leading trend in healthcare medicine in the market and connected to food science with pharmaceutical dosage forms hosting food bioactive compounds as active principles in formulations (pills, powders, capsules, parenteral, etc.). These bioactive constituents are phytochemical and are known to sustain or promote health.

Recent advances in nutraceuticals

Recent advances in nutraceuticals focus on enhancing their delivery, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy, often utilizing nanotechnology. These

advancements include exploring new sources of nutraceuticals like marine organisms and developing targeted delivery systems to improve their absorption and action. Additionally, research is exploring the potential of nutraceuticals for various health conditions, including sarcopenic obesity and diabetic retinopathy.

Nanotechnology

Nanoencapsulation and nanofabricated delivery systems are an imminent approach in the field of food sciences. The sustainable fabrication of nutraceuticals and biocompatible active components indisputably enhances the food grade and promotes good health. Nanofabricated delivery systems include carbohydrates-based, lipids (solid and liquid), and proteins-based delivery systems. Solid nano-delivery systems include lipid nanoparticles. Liquid nano-delivery systems include nanoliposomes and nanoemulsions. Majority of the nutraceuticals possess multiple therapeutic properties including anticancer, antithyroid, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardio protective, antimicrobial, and many other benefits. However, poor stability, lack of water solubility, and fast metabolism lead to poor oral bioavailability. So, encapsulation of nutraceutical molecules at microand nanosize is in practice to offer the following advantages: to protect the nutraceutical compound from undesired interactions with the environment and thus protect its degradation during processing or storage; mask undesirable tastes;

improve its solubility and dispersibility and thus facilitate its processability; control and/or prolong its release; and/ or improve its oral bioavailability. Various encapsulation techniques like liposomes, emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, and synthetic and biopolymer-based encapsulations at micro- and nanoscale prove their efficacy to protect the nutraceutical molecules.

Physicochemical properties of nanoparticles such as size, charge, hydrophobicity, and targeting molecules affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of nano delivery systems. Advance research in toxicity studies is necessary to ensure the safety of the nanofabricated delivery systems, as the safety of nano delivery systems for use in food applications is unknown. Therefore, improved nanotechnology could play a pivotal role in developing functional foods, a contemporary concept assuring the consumers to provide programmed, high-priced, and high-quality research toward nanofabricated delivery systems.

Natural Sources

Marine-based nutraceuticals: Research is exploring bioactive compounds from marine organisms. Many marine organisms, including fish, crustaceans, algae, mollusks, sponges, actinomycetes, fungi and microorganisms have been exploited as sources of natural components. Diverse marine-based beneficial compounds with great potential as nutraceuticals or application in the food industry that have been in the

focus of research in recent years. These include chitin, chitosan, pigments, polysaccharides, and polyphenols from algae, fish oil, fatty acids (FA), essential amino acids (EAA), peptides, gelatin, vitamins, minerals, and dopamine.

Plant-based nutraceuticals: Herbal products and functional foods, like turmeric, cinnamon, and various fruits and vegetables, are being investigated for their potential to prevent and treat diseases. There has been increasing scientific research on plant-based foods because of their potential sustainability and healthrelated benefits such as foods rich in starch, proteins, lipids, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients.

From microalgae to legumes, the potential health benefits of these vegetable ingredients are being explored and tested. Cutting-edge techniques such as nanotechnology and encapsulation are being used to enhance the efficacy and bioavailability of components, making them even more attractive to consumers.

The main challenge is to achieve nutrition and functionality in these plant-based foods using healthy and sustainable plant-derived ingredients with desirable appearance, flavor, sensory, and other physicochemical attributes. It is also argued that large quantities of nutraceuticals and functional foods must be consumed to achieve the alleged health benefits, even though the safety and health implications of plant bioactive compounds are not fully clear.

Brown algae: Brown algae are being explored as a rich source of bioactive compounds, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and unique metabolic compounds with promising biological activities. The exploration of brown algae

has shown significant growth and maintains a great promise for the future. One possible explanation could be that brown algae are rich sources of nutritional compounds (polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, proteins, minerals, and vitamins) and unique metabolic compounds (phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, fucoidan) with promising biological activities that make them good candidates for nutraceutical applications with increased value-added.

Emerging applications

Sarcopenic obesity

Sarcopenic obesity, low muscle mass, and high body fat are growing health concerns in the aging population. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal changes, and reduced physical activity. These factors lead to impaired muscle activity, intramuscular fat accumulation, and reduced protein synthesis, resulting in muscle catabolism and increased fat mass. Myostatin and irisin are myokines that regulate muscle synthesis and energy expenditure, respectively.

Nutraceuticals like Vitamin K and irisin are being investigated for their potential to address muscle loss and obesity. Research is ongoing to identify and isolate new compounds with therapeutic potential. Vitamin K, specifically menaquinone-4 (MK4), improves mitochondrial function and reduces muscle damage. Irisin is a hormone secreted during exercise that enhances oxidative metabolism, prevents insulin resistance and obesity, and improves bone quality. Low-glycemic-index diets and green cardamom are potential methods for managing sarcopenic obesity. Along with exercise and dietary support,

nutraceuticals can serve as promising future therapeutic alternatives.

Diabetic retinopathy

Nutraceuticals with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties are being explored for their potential to protect against vision loss in diabetic patients. Present therapeutic strategies such as intravitreal injection of antiVEGF and laser photocoagulation mainly target proliferative DR. However, there is a need for early effective management in patients with early stage of DR before its progression into the more severe sight-threatening proliferative stage. Nutraceuticals, natural functional foods with few side effects, have been proposed to be beneficial in patients with DR.

Over the decades, many studies have demonstrated the advantages of several nutraceuticals in DR with their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, or vasoprotective effects. However, only a few clinical trials have been conducted, and their outcomes varied. The low bioavailability and instability of many nutraceuticals have indeed hindered their utilization in clinical use.

Neurological disorders

Some nutraceuticals, like those found in green tea and chlorella, are being studied for their potential to improve cognitive function and treat neurological disorders. Nutraceuticals are being incorporated into functional foods or used as supplements with nonpharmacological approaches in the prevention and management of several illnesses, including age-related conditions and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Nutraceuticals are apt for preventing and treating such disorders because of

their nontoxic, non-habit-forming, and efficient bioactivities for promoting neurological well-being due to their ability to influence cellular processes such as neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, neuro-inflammation, oxidative stress, cell death modulation, and neuronal survival. The capacity of nutraceuticals to modify all these processes reveals the potential to develop food-based strategies to aid brain development and enhance brain function, prevent and ameliorate neurodegeneration, and possibly reverse the cognitive impairment observed in Alzheimer’s disease, the most predominant form of dementia in the elderly.

Nutraceuticals market dynamics

Driver: Increase consumer focus on health and wellness

Growing awareness among consumers about the importance of health and wellness is a key driver for the nutraceuticals market. People are looking for functional foods, dietary supplements, and other nutrients to support their health, boost the immune system and prevent chronic diseases. This growing consumer demand is driving the market.

Driver: Rising aging population and increasing incidence of chronic diseases

An aging global population, increasing incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and others are driving the demand for nutrition. As people age, they tend to adopt preventive health measures, they are used to maintain health and deal with aging-related conditions.

Restraints: Legal challenges and lack of standards

The nutraceuticals market faces major challenges due to the lack of standardized regulations in various industries and different approval processes. Inconsistent regulatory framework can hamper product approvals, delay market access and pose challenges as it involves compliance results for manufacturers, and has restricted the growth of the overall market.

Restraints: High cost of nutrients

High costs associated with nutritional products, especially those with proven clinical efficacy, may restrain market growth. Consumers in high-price areas may be reluctant to buy expensive fertilizers, limiting

market expansion, especially in developing countries.

Factors to consider in development of nutraceuticals

The development of functional food as nutraceuticals and dietary supplements is gaining momentum with the perspectives of safety, efficacy, and quality for promotion of health of human beings. Nutraceuticals are diet supplements that deliver an enriched, presumed bioactive compound from natural resources, presented in a nonfood matrix, that have additional health or physiological benefits over and above the normal nutritional value and are used with the purpose of enhancing human pathophysiological conditions. Due to the rapid expansion in this area, several aspects need to be considered that could influence the future of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Authentication, quality control, standardization, validation processes, regulatory aspects, clinical risk assessment, customer awareness, and post-marketing surveillance are the key points which could ensure the safety and efficacy of nutraceutical and dietary supplements. 

Article info

Editorial: Advances and trends in nutraceutical and functional plant-based food. Frontiers in Nutrition, 13 March 2023 Sec. Nutrition and Food Science Technology. Vol. 10 – 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1168826

Grand View Research. (2024). U.S. Nutraceuticals Market Size & Trends. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/usnutraceuticals-market-report

Kim, Y. C. et al. (2023). Recent Advances in Nutraceuticals for the Treatment of Sarcopenic Obesity. Nutrients, 15(17), 3854. https:// doi.org/10.3390/nu15173854

Maria Leena M. et al. (2020). Chapter 14 - Nanoencapsulation of nutraceutical ingredients. In Biopolymer-Based Formulations, Elsevier, Pages 311-352, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816897-4.00014-X. Puttasiddaiah R. et al. (2023). Advances in Nanofabrication Technology for Nutraceuticals: New Insights and Future Trends. Bioengineering (Basel). 2022 Sep 16;9(9): 478. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering9090478.

Sharma M. et al. (2016). 3 - Nutrition nutraceuticals: a proactive approach for healthcare. In Nanotechnology in the Agri-Food Industry Volume 4, 79-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-804305-9.00003-8 Reza-Zaldívar, E. E., & Jacobo-Velázquez, D. A. (2023). Comprehensive Review of Nutraceuticals against Cognitive Decline Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. ACS omega, 8(39), 35499–35522. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c04855

Silva, A. et al. (2024). Recent advances in biological properties of brown algae-derived compounds for nutraceutical applications. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 64(5), 1283–1311. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2115004

Ye, X. et al. (2024). Nutraceuticals for Diabetic Retinopathy: Recent Advances and Novel Delivery Systems. Nutrients, 16(11), 1715. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111715

Skyquest. (2025). Nutraceuticals Market Size, Share, and Growth Analysis. https://www.skyquestt.com/report/nutraceuticals-market

If you work in a microbiology laboratory, don’t be too confident that “our jobs done right”, if you haven’t properly implemented internal quality control! In the world of microbiological analysis, accuracy, precision, and reliability of test results are the “heart” of the entire operation. The outcomes directly impact consumer health, product safety, and customer confidence. Therefore, “quality control” (QC) is that every laboratory “must have,” not just “might have” anymore.

Why is microbiological quality control necessary?

Microbiological testing involves microorganisms that cannot be seen with the naked eyes. A slight mistake, such as preparing the culture medium incorrectly, incubating the culture at an inappropriate temperature or time, contamination from various equipment used in the testing activities, or airborne microbial contamination, can easily lead to “inaccurate” test results.

Quality control includes:

1. Internal quality control (IQC): The laboratory must regularly conduct quality control itself or according to the plan set. It is carried out alongside the routine testing of normal samples, such as using control strains (positive/ negative control), quality testing of culture media, blank testing, duplicate testing, equipment inspection during use, etc.

The quality control of microbiological testing is detailed in ISO 7218: 2024: General Requirements for Microbiological Examination, which is a guideline for various microbiological practices, such as media preparation, temperature control, use of control strains, and importantly, the quality and quality control requirements for microbiological testing. Therefore, the ISO 7218 standard must be provided to microbiologists in the laboratory. Internal quality control is not necessary to use complex tools, but it must be done consistently, with a recording system and review/analysis of results to prevent errors before

submitting test results.

2. External quality assessment (EQA) or proficiency testing (PT) is a process where an “external organization” sends blind samples to the laboratory for analysis. The results are compared to other participating laboratories to evaluate if we meet the standards. Proficiency testing is a form of external quality assessment, to compare results with other laboratories to evaluate one’s performance.

Internal quality

control

Internal quality control is an important process that ensures the analysis results are accurate, precise, and reliable at every day of work. Therefore, to achieve accurate and correct test results that can be confidently used for decision-making, microbiologists must control the quality of their work at every step of the testing, not only during the analysis phase.

The processes involved in testing can be divided into 3 main phases:

1. Pre-analytical phase

This is the “starting point” where any initial mistakes can render the final analysis completely unusable. Activities during this phase include sample collection for testing. This point is very important because. If the samples are collected improperly or using incorrect methods, such as using non-sterile containers or failing to control the storage temperature, it may allow the microorganisms to grow while waiting for testing. This also includes mislabeling samples

during code issuing, which would certainly lead to erroneous test results.

2. The analytical phase

It is the heart of laboratory work where every step must be “accurate” and “verifiable.” Examples of activities during this phase include preparing culture media, preparing samples, inoculating samples, incubating samples, as well as reading and recording test results. If errors occur during these processes, the test results may yield false positive/negative or inaccurate, leading to a lack of reliability in the laboratory. Therefore, the laboratory must control the testing process, or as we commonly known, quality control of testing, to ensure the testing process is verified, along with the use of aseptic techniques.

Aseptic technique is a method used to prevent the contamination of unwanted microorganisms in experiments or laboratory work. It is particularly important in microbiology or working with sensitive samples. Basic guidelines and procedures for using aseptic technique include:

1. Pre-work preparations

Hand washing: Wash hands with soap and clean water or use alcohol gel before work.

Wearing a laboratory coat and sterile gloves: To prevent contamination from personnel.

2. Preparation of equipment and tools

Glassware or various equipment used in the tests must be sterilized at a temperature of 170±10 ºC for at least 1 hour before use.

Working area sterilizing: Use 70%

alcohol to clean the workspace before work, and work in areas with clean air circulation, such as a laminar air flow cabinet or a biohazard safety cabinet.

3. Laboratory practices

Opening and closing containers: Opening and closing containers or bottles must be done quickly and carefully to prevent contamination from the air.

Use of flame: Using a flame (burner) to sterilize the mouth of a bottle or test tube when in use.

Use of sterile pipettes: When using a pipette to draw samples, it must be sterilized each time before use.

4. Waste storage and disposal

Sample storage: Cultured or collected samples must be stored in sterile containers and sealed tightly.

Waste disposal: Waste or used equipment, such as test tubes and

gloves, must be sterilized before disposal to reduce the risk of spreading microorganisms.

Strict practices of aseptic techniques will help reduce contamination and increase the reliability of experimental results in microbiology and other laboratory works.

3. Post-analytical phase

Don’t think the work is done after reading the results. The preparation of the test report, which is the output or finished product of the laboratory, also affects the quality. Examples of activities during this phase include recording results, summarizing results, data transfer, and report preparation.

ISO/IEC 17025 is a standard concerning the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories. Clause 7.7, ensuring the validity of results, requires laboratories to regularly verify and monitor the accuracy of

test or calibration results in place. To ensure that the quality of reported outcomes is continuously reliable and consistent.

Summary

Quality control in the microbiology laboratory is not just a workload; it is a tool for maintaining standards and ensuring confidence in every analysis result. It is to confirm that “the results we reported are the most reliable.”

Whether it’s a small or big laboratory, if you want to rely on international standards, you must pay attention to quality control, beyond following documents or passed-down documents. Importantly, it must be done with true understanding and genuine intention. 

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) and Foods safety

Monocrotaline

A = pyrrolizidine, B = 1-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine (necine) และ C = necine diester

Figure 2 Chemical structures of monocrotaline

A = pyrrolizidine, B = 1-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine (necine) and C = necine diester

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are plant toxins that are not well known but can be life-threatening when contaminated in food, beverages, and various plant-based dietary supplements. This article will discuss PAs, their toxic effects, and the processes by which PAs can contaminate food. Additionally, it will address the toxicity and the dangers of consuming products with high levels of PA, as well as existing PAs regulations, non-compliance with standards, and new testing protocols that could impact the multi-billion-dollar natural products and botanical industries.

What are PAs?

Pyrolysidine alkaloids (PAs) are bitter-tasting chemicals synthesized by about 3 percent of flowering plants to deter herbivores and insects. To date, more than 660 PAs have been identified in more than 6,000 plant species, most of which belong to the Asteraceae (daisy), Boraginaceae (borage or forget-me-not) and Apocynaceae (dogbane) families, as well as to plants in the genus Crotalaria of the Fabaceae family (legumes, peas, and beans). Although these plants have gained evolutionary advantages from the presence of PAs, some PA alkaloids pose a risk to human health due to their hepatotoxic, genotoxic, cytotoxic, tumorigenic, and neurotoxic properties. These PAs are 1,2-unsaturated PAs, 1,2-dihydro PAs are of concern to manufacturers of plant-based foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.

PAs Toxicity

When PAs are ingested, their

biological processes begin to change in the liver. Acute PAs toxicity disrupts neuronal signaling by affecting neuro receptors, ion channels, and enzymes responsible for the degradation of neurotransmitters and second transmitters. PAs can bind to DNA, causing protein synthesis inactivation, inducing cell death, and inhibiting the activity of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.

The most common chronic PAs toxicity is liver damage, hepatic and pulmonary embolism, and vascular damage, as well as damage to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, and pancreas. Acute PAs toxicity is fatal in about one in five human cases, while 50% recover and the remaining 30% develop chronic hepatic thrombosis years after exposure to toxicity.

Contamination of PAs in dietary supplements and dried plants is also a concern, due to the link between PAs and cancer. Several PAs-containing plants and PA compounds have been

tested in animal models, PAs have been shown to be carcinogenic in a variety of tissues, including the liver (primarily), lung, kidney, skin, bladder, brain, and spinal cord, among others. Studies conducted with fruit flies indicate that PAs are mutagenic and genotoxic, while mice and rats fed diets containing riddelliine (a PA) show a significantly increased incidence of cancer and tumors.

Pathways of PAs contamination

PAs are among the most important naturally occurring toxins because they are widely distributed and easily disseminated throughout the food chain, often through the inadvertent harvesting of PA-producing weeds and seeds. Particularly, in agricultural produce and minimally processed foods and dietary supplements. Common sources of human PAs exposure include crops and cereals contaminated with PA-producing weeds or seeds, along with herbal products, supplements, and teas prepared from or contaminated with PA-producing plants. Even plants that do not produce PAs can absorb if grown on soils containing decomposed PA-producing plant matter. A 2016 study shows that peppermint, chamomile, and culantro contained PAs at after being covered with dry grass.

What follows is that livestock can be affected by ingesting plants containing PAs, which means that milk, cheese, meat, offal, and eggs may contain PAs, although levels in animal-derived foods are lower

than in cereals and plant products. Honey is also a potential source of human exposure to PAs. As PAs may be present in the nectar of flowers. (And) when bees consume nectar from plants, honey becomes a source of PAs for both bees and humans to consume. In 2020, a study found that 58% of 375 honey samples purchased in the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan contained PAs, the most common of which were suspected carcinogens - monocrotaline, echimidine, and lycopsamine, with levels ranging from 0.2–281.1 μg/ kg. The presence of monocrotaline is particularly concerned, as it has been assessed by the IARC as a rat carcinogen. There is no mention in the EU regulations or by the current AOAC International Working Group on a new global PAs standard.

Risk of PAs poisoning

Molyneux et al. point out that contamination of Dihydro PAsproducing cereals has resulted in widespread human food poisoning incidents with high morbidity and

mortality, particularly in Africa and Central and South Asia. These episodic and catastrophic outbreaks of PAs poisoning are a fact of population in developing countries, potentially involving thousands of people (e.g. in India in 1972, Tajikistan in 1992, and several in Afghanistan since the 1970s). Afghanistan also found several cases of PAs poisoning in 2010, caused by contaminated cereals, such as Heliotropium , which can produce PAs. According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), poisoning has also been associated with the consumption of certain herbs used as traditional Chinese medicine, which contain 1,2-unsaturated PAs or PA-contaminated wild herbs. PAs of Heliotropium and Crotalaria spp. have been detected in Qurut (dry yogurt ball) a goat’s milk cheese commonly found in Central Asia.

In the West, PAs poisoning is rare, and the risk of acute poisoning is considered low. A New Zealand study on the food contamination risk of PAs in honey concluded that,

over a lifetime, the average human exposure to honey is considered acceptable. However, it added that there is uncertainty about consumer brand trust, and risk management approaches from other food suppliers. (And therefore,) to limit or reduce exposure through honey remain valuable.

The European Medicines Agency also points out that depending on individual preferences in food choices, the variability of PA exposure in humans is likely to be high. It means that the consumption of certain products with elevated levels of PAs can significantly increase the overall risk of exposure. According to the BfR, the use of herbs may contribute significantly to both long-term and short-term exposure to 1,2-unsaturated PAs. Particularly high concentrations have been found in borage (Borago officinalis ), oregano ( Originum vulgare) and spice mixes.

This risk is further compounded by the number of products with high levels of PAs that continue to be exported worldwide, sometimes illegally. During 2024, 65 notifications were sent to the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed for Animal Health (RASFF) for teas, cocoa products, seeds, herbs, spices, dietary supplements and novel or nutritious foods contaminated with PAs – 53 of which were considered serious or potentially serious.

Meanwhile, it was noted that one sample of organic oregano and one ground cumin, reported to RASFF in 2023, exceeded the maximum permissible limits for PA by 60 and 24 times, respectively. It is concluded that (EU) legislation has not been complied with and that stricter controls are urgently needed to ensure food safety (and) avoid exposure

to PAs by animals and humans. In January 2025, the EU increased its PAs controls on dried oregano from Turkey by increasing sampling to 30% of shipments. It also requires all cumin seeds from the country to carry an official certificate stating compliance with EU’s PAs limits. The rapidly growing market for dietary supplements also poses risks to both manufacturers and consumers. According to the Drug Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN), funded by the US National Institutes of Health, botanical dietary supplements accounted for 20% of recorded liver injury cases in 2017, significantly increased from 7% in 2004-5. The dietary supplement industry has been hit by reports of mislabeled products, adulterated and bulky products. Manufacturers often fail to meet basic manufacturing standards, such as establishing the identity, purity, or composition of the final product. In a review of PAs in natural products, Lis-Cieplak et al. conclude that the market for dietary supplements is dynamically developing, (but) there is a misconception that these products are always safe and free from side effects.

There will be new legislation?

Under Regulation 2023/915, the EU currently sets maximum permissible levels from 1.0 to 1,000 μg/kg for 35 PAs in a variety of botanical products, including herbs, spices, teas, herbal infusions, and dietary supplements. The US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has banned edible products containing or derived from comfrey. Japan also bans the commercial sales of comfrey, including its use in food.

In Australia and New Zealand, PAs such as Crotalaria (a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family), Echium plantagineum (an invasive weed), Echium vulgare and Heliotropium spp. (an invasive weed such as Indian heliotrope) cannot be added to food.

In short, scientists with expertise in PAs have criticized the current state of international regulations, saying it is inadequate, despite relatively strict rules. The consumption of PAs and N-oxides is an urgent and important public health issue that needs to be addressed. Tabuas et al. argue that the level of contamination in different

matrices much more broadly, however, consistent regulation has not been able to ensure the safety of food for consumers and facilitate international trade in particular.

Influential standards organizations such as the AOAC also believe that better control of PAs is needed. In 2022, it announced the establishment of a task force to develop voluntary standards and consensus methods for 35 PAs in teas, herbal infusions, herbs, spices, seeds, and botanical dietary supplement mixtures. They stated existing quantitative testing approaches are complex, expensive, and incomplete. The AOAC also predicts that the task force will become a driving force in the development of internationally accepted formal analytical methods. It may help companies achieve new levels of regulatory compliance, provide consumers with greater confidence in their product labels, and assure suppliers of the integrity of their products. More research is needed in the future. 

Regulation 1881/2006. กฎระเบียบและมาตรฐานอาหารต่างประเทศ: สหภาพยุโรป. สถาบันอาหาร. https://fic.nfi.or.th/law/upload/file1/2749_LR6312-5-EU-Amending-Reg1881pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-in-food_Dec2020-ISO.pdf

Moreira, R., Pereira, D. M., Valentão, P., & Andrade, P. B. (2018). Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Food Safety. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(6), 1668. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061668

Tábuas, B., Cruz Barros, S., Diogo, C., Cavaleiro, C., & Sanches Silva, A. (2024). Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Foods, Herbal Drugs, and Food Supplements: Chemistry, Metabolism, Toxicological Significance, Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Challenges for Future. Toxins, 16(2), 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16020079

Discover Investment Opportunities & Innovation

in Hong Kong

The 4th International Healthcare Week (IHW), driven by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will run from 26 May to 15 June 2025 in Hong Kong, helping to promote innovation, investment and exchange by fully utilising Hong Kong’s strategic role as an innovation and investment hub for Asia’s healthcare industry.

The two flagship events of IHW are the 5th Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the HKTDC, and the 16th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair) organised by the HKTDC.

The two concurrent events encompass both upstream and downstream healthcare industries, from technology research and development, investment matching and medical device manufacturing, to medical products and services. Together they form a comprehensive one-stop platform to create synergies for medical and healthcare industry professionals.

Asia Summit on Global Health

Since its launch in 2021, ASGH has developed into a signature event for the healthcare industry in the region. The last edition of the Summit brought together more than 80 internationally renowned speakers and 2,800 participants from 40 countries and regions. More than 360 one-on-one Deal-making meetings were arranged during the Summit.

Themed “Fostering Global Collaboration for a Shared Future”, the Summit in 2025 will bring together policy makers, healthcare experts, business leaders, start-ups and investors from around the world to examine global trends in health innovation and investment, explore areas of global collaboration in the health arena and showcase new business opportunities and partnership for investors and project owners. Project

pitching and deal-making meetings will also be organised to facilitate business discussions and investment partnerships. ASGH Business Hub & InnoHealth Showcase, the dedicated exhibition area featuring global healthcare projects and technologies will be staged alongside the Summit.

Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair

The HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair brings together healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world. It is a platform for showcasing the latest advancements in medical technology, products, and services.

The fair will feature some 300 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and Hungary.

Highlighted zones include Biotechnology, Hospital Equipment, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, World of Health and Wellness, and more. This year’s fair focuses on

three key areas: cutting-edge medical technologies, gerontechnology, and green solutions, particularly in the field of medical diagnostics, smart hospitals, and digital health.

International buyers will have the opportunity to explore the latest medical technologies and equipment, healthcare and beauty products, and healthcare solutions, while also networking and obtaining valuable insights into the latest trends in the medical field through knowledgerich events.

In 2024, the fair recorded visits from over 12,000 buyers from 60 countries and regions. Additionally, more than 650 business-matching meetings were arranged to facilitate exhibitors and buyers in harnessing business prospects.

Asia Summit on Global Health Registration: https://www. asiasummitglobalhealth.com/ conference/asgh/en/participantregistration

Learn more about the International Healthcare Week, please go to https:// internationalhealthcareweek.hktdc. com. 

Innovation meets inspiration: the future of the meat and protein industry at IFFA 2025

IFFA is set to focus on issues crucial to the future of the meat and protein industry when it opens from 3 to 8 May 2025. Under the motto ‘Rethinking Meat and Proteins’, this leading international trade fair will present a comprehensive overview of the value chain – from processing and packaging to innovative ingredients and the latest point-of-sale trends. The exhibition halls are already well booked and the market leaders have confirmed their participation. The key issues for 2025 are maximum

performance, value creation through data, sustainability in practice and new product worlds.

IFFA – Technology for Meat and Alternative Proteins – will bring together market participants from all over the world and cover the entire production process from 3 to 8 May 2025. Messe Frankfurt expects around 1,000 exhibitors to showcase their latest technologies, machinery and solutions on 116,000 square metres of exhibition space (gross) in Halls 8, 9, 11 and 12. The exhibitors include

market leaders, as well as small, specialist companies and start-ups, from around 50 different countries. In addition to numerous companies from all over Europe, there will also be large contingents from, for example, the USA, Brazil and China. A new hall layout will not only showcase the multitude of different technologies but also strengthen the links between the individual stages of the production process. Completely new is IFFA Worlds. These thematically structured segments bring together

the numerous product groups and provide orientation within the overall trade-fair spectrum. They are:

World of Processing: Solutions for the safe and efficient processing of meat and proteins.

World of Packaging: Innovative concepts to protect, preserve and display food products.

World of Ingredients: The essential elements for flavour, structure and quality.

World of New Proteins: Technology, ingredients and research for all types of meat substitutes.

World of Skills and Sales: Knowledge and skills for first-class craftsmanship and delighted customers.

IFFA is the leading trade fair for its sector and is distinguished by an extraordinarily high degree of internationality. 71 percent of participants come from outside Germany, from around 150 countries. The top visitor nations include the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, the USA, Brazil, Austria, the UK and Switzerland. Trade visitors come from the protein processing industry, the butchers’ trade, the food sector, catering and a variety of supplier industries.

Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Messe Frankfurt: “Trade fairs bring industries together and IFFA 2025 is sure to provide convincing evidence of this. The response from exhibitors has been impressive and we are looking forward to seeing numerous innovations for the meat and protein industry. Thus, companies will be showing solutions for farms of every size, all sources of protein and every region of the world. Moreover, IFFA is a great opportunity for face-to-face discussions, networking and acquiring new knowledge. In a nutshell, it is the industry event of the year.”

Key issues in 2025

IFFA is where projects are planned, solutions discussed and inspiration generated for the coming years. The focus of the exhibition and the accompanying programme of specialist events is on ‘Maximum performance’, ‘Creating value from data’, ‘Sustainability inpractice’ and ‘Boundless product diversity’. This means:

Boost efficiency and automate processes: How can the performance of machines and systems in the meat and protein processing industry be maximised? Innovative technologies such as AI, robots and sensor technology are opening up new opportunities for increasing productivity in the food industry.

Data as a factor for success: A large volume of data is already being collected at all points along the process chain. Optimised use improves the production process and creates transparency through complete documentation and full traceability. Completely new possibilities also arise when consumer and trade data flows directly back into production planning.

Achieve greater sustainability: What specific measures should be taken to achieve greater sustainability in production? Improved energy efficiency, renewable energies and modern propulsion technology can all make an important contribution. In packaging technology, recyclable, plastic-reduced and bio-based concepts represent a sustainable trend.

New nutritional trends and greater product variety: Whether from meat, plants or mushrooms, the variety of protein products is growing, and with it the demands placed on the machinery. Flexible systems are needed to keep ahead of the competition through seasonal or regional specialities. At the same time, researchers and start-ups are

constantly working on new ideas to supply the world’s growing population with proteins in a sustainable way.

The event programme: Discover, discuss, gain inspiration.

Besides the innovations showcased by exhibitors, IFFA also offers a complementary programme of specialist events that illuminates the top subjects from all sides. To this end, Messe Frankfurt is working closely with its partners: the VDMA, the German Butchers’ Association and, in the field of new proteins, Balpro, Proveg and the Good Food Institute Europe. At the IFFA Kitchen, visitors can take part in an inspiring discussion programme combined with live demonstrations and show cooking. The IFFA Factory presents exemplary solutions that address the shortage of skilled labour on the production side. Additionally, curated IFFA Discovery Tours will help visitors explore and categorise the numerous innovations that exhibitors are bringing to the trade fair – the individual tours are based on the IFFA Worlds. Other highlights in the programme of events include the quality competitions organised by the German Butchers’ Association, which present traditional craftsmanship at its best, the gala to select the ‘Butcher of the Year 2025’ and the presentation of the ‘New Meat Award’ by the Deutscher Fachverlag publishing house.

Messe Frankfurt supports the dynamic growth of the food industry with four trade fairs on three continents. The industry gets together at the events in Argentina, Thailand, the USA and Germany. This is where trends and innovations are showcased and experts from all over the world meet to exchange ideas and make new contacts. Further information at: www. food-technologies.messefrankfurt. com and learn more about IFFA at www.iffa.com 

analytica Vietnam 2025

Concludes with RecordBreaking Attendance and Exhibitor Participation

analytica Vietnam 2025, the leading international trade fair for laboratory technology, biotechnology, analysis, and diagnostics, successfully concluded its 9th edition, held from April 2–4, 2025 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). Organised by MMI Asia Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary and regional headquarters of Messe München GmbH (MMG), in collaboration with Vietnam Exhibition and Event Services Co., Ltd (VNEES), and supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, the event surpassed all previous records in attendance and international participation. This milestone reinforces analytica Vietnam’s reputation as Southeast Asia’s premier platform for scientific innovation, cross-border collaboration, and advanced laboratory solutions.

The exhibition welcomed 6,657 visitors, including 5,908 unique attendees from 37 countries, reflecting a 23% increase in unique visitors compared to the 2023 edition. This growth highlights the region's increasing demand for cutting-edge laboratory technologies and the growing prominence of the event on the international stage.

Impressive Growth and Strong International Participation

analytica Vietnam 2025 experienced exceptional expansion, with a 52% increase in exhibitors. The exhibition hosted over 300 companies and brands across a 7,000 sqm exhibition space, a 56% increase in space compared to 2023. A notable 71% of exhibitors were international, underscoring the event’s rising international appeal and establishing it as a key meeting point for global industry leaders.

Prakash Mishra, Head of Vietnam SLS Commercial at Merck Vietnam, remarked, “The quality of visitors this year has been very good—we’ve met professionals from across Asia, Europe, and even the US who are genuinely interested in understanding and entering the Vietnam market. For us, this has been an excellent opportunity to connect with both local and international partners. It’s encouraging to see Vietnam gaining more visibility on the global stage, and analytica Vietnam has played a key role in that. Overall, it’s been a strong start to the year, and we’re leaving the show with meaningful leads and a very positive outlook.”

Key Show Features and Highlights

Academic Conference

The concurrent academic conference attracted 770 participants, a notable increase from the 582 attendees in 2023. The conference provided a comprehensive program featuring

industry experts and thought leaders, addressing key research trends, technological advancements, and challenges faced by the laboratory and biotechnology sectors.

Southeast Asia’s First Live Lab Premiere

A key highlight of analytica Vietnam 2025 was the debut of Southeast Asia’s first Live Lab, attracting over 770 participants. This immersive experience offered live demonstrations in a real laboratory environment, allowing attendees to interact with experts and explore the latest technologies in action. It provided valuable, hands-on insights into the practical applications of modern lab workflows.

Hosted Buyer Program

analytica Vietnam 2025 welcomed 544 Hosted Buyers from Vietnam and neighboring countries including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. With over 700 pre-arranged meetings, the program fostered meaningful business engagement, paving the way for strategic partnerships and regional growth across the laboratory and analytical sectors.

Startup Pavilion

The Startup Pavilion showcased emerging companies in the laboratory sector, spotlighting innovations and new technologies that are poised to shape the future of the industry. This section of the exhibition offered a platform for fresh ideas and groundbreaking solutions that are advancing laboratory technology.

Lab Design and Construction Forum

The Lab Design and Construction Forum delved into the future of sustainable and efficient laboratory infrastructure. The forum featured insights from industry leaders and experts on how modern design principles are transforming laboratory facilities to meet the growing demands of science, research, and industry.

Innovation Zone

The Innovation Zone was a dedicated space showcasing breakthrough technologies that are transforming laboratory operations and industry practices. Attendees had the opportunity to explore cuttingedge products and solutions that are shaping the future of laboratory technology.

Exclusive Lab Tours

Specially curated Lab Tours took participants behind the scenes of leading research and testing facilities in Vietnam. These tours offered a deeper understanding of local industry advancements and provided insights into the real-world applications of the technologies showcased at the event.

Future Editions: analytica

Convention 2026 in Hanoi & analytica Vietnam 2027 in Ho Chi Minh City

Building on the remarkable success of analytica Vietnam 2025, MMI Asia is set to extend its reach across Vietnam. The analytica Convention 2026 will take place from April 22–24, 2026, at the International Exhibition Center (ICE) in Hanoi. Designed as an exclusive gathering, this event will feature a top-tier scientific conference and a focused showcase of laboratory technologies, offering industry professionals and academics in Northern Vietnam direct access to global innovations.

The full-scale edition of analytica Vietnam will return to Ho Chi Minh City from March 31 to April 2, 2027, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). With expectations for greater international presence and broader industry coverage, the 2027 edition will continue to serve as a strategic hub for technology exchange, partnerships, and market expansion in Southeast Asia. 

A Resounding Success: PCHi

2025 Wraps Up on a High Note

The 2025 edition of Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients (PCHi) trade event, held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou from 19-21 February, has set a new benchmark for the personal care ingredients industry as the first major event of the year.

With over 800 exhibitors and more than 50,000 professionals from 63 countries and regions, PCHi continues to solidify its position as the industry’s premier platform for sourcing, innovation, and collaboration. Visitor numbers saw a notable increase compared to the previous edition, underscoring the growing interest in PCHi as a key

event driving global engagement and business opportunities.

Source

of Beauty, Choice of Excellence

Guided by its mission of being the “Source of Beauty, Choice of Excellence,” PCHi 2025 reinforced its role as a catalyst for advancements in the personal care ingredients

sector. The exhibition, conference, and technical exchange programs offered a dynamic environment for professionals to delve into regulatory developments, uncover emerging trends, and discover the latest ingredients shaping the future of beauty and personal care formulations.

Exhibitors spanned from global market leaders to niche innovators,

each showcasing cutting-edge solutions and ingredients while forging strategic business connections. The event highlighted a range of new product launches, underscoring the industry’s ongoing commitment to scientific breakthroughs and enhanced formulation techniques. Leading multinational suppliers, including Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant, Ashland, Croda, and Gattefossé, presented their latest developments alongside niche suppliers from across Bulgaria, Monaco, and Indonesia.

A standout feature of PCHi was the unparalleled opportunity for attendees to engage with hundreds of Chinese personal care ingredient companies under one roof. This unique access provided direct connections to China’s rapidly growing beauty and personal care sector, enhancing the event’s value for global professionals.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nurulizzati Zainalabidin, Researcher at Intramiles Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), shared, “We’re here to explore sourcing opportunities, and the scale of the show has truly impressed us. Communication with exhibitors was smooth, making it easy to engage with suppliers and discuss our requirements. We found quality raw materials and suitable product alternatives.”

A Strong Year for the Chinese Market & Global Industry Collaboration

As China’s cosmetics industry continues to evolve, PCHi plays a pivotal role in fostering cross-border collaborations and accelerating advancements. This year’s event highlighted how international companies are tapping into China’s vast market potential while Chinese brands are making their mark globally with pioneering ingredient technologies.

In 2024, China’s cosmetics industry surpassed RMB 1 trillion in market transactions, marking a 2.8% year-on-year increase. Despite overall growth stabilizing, the rapid development of new ingredients is fueling significant momentum for the sector, leading to safer and more effective formulations.

Reflecting China’s growing innovation prowess, 13 of the 28 ingredient winners at the PCHi Fountain Awards were developed by Chinese companies, further establishing the country’s influence on global beauty and personal care trends.

“China remains a powerhouse in the global personal care industry, with its continuous advancements in ingredient innovation influencing beauty trends worldwide,” said a spokesperson from Reed Sinopharm

Exhibitions (RSE). “PCHi serves as a vital conduit for international and domestic stakeholders to exchange insights, discover cutting-edge technologies, and build valuable business connections that will shape the future of the industry.”

Next Stop: Hangzhou 2026

Looking ahead, PCHi 2026 will take place from 18–20 March at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center, marking the event’s debut in this dynamic city. Hangzhou provides an exciting new backdrop for PCHi, bolstering the event’s global influence. Located in the Yangtze River Delta—a region renowned for manufacturing excellence—Hangzhou is also home to leading C-beauty brands and a thriving ecosystem of cosmetics R&D, making it the ideal setting for the next chapter of PCHi’s journey.

A spokesperson from RSE commented, “The enthusiasm and engagement at PCHi 2025 reaffirm the event’s essential role in driving industry innovation and business growth. We look forward to welcoming the global personal care community to Hangzhou next year, where we will continue to foster impactful exchanges, groundbreaking discoveries, and lasting collaborations.”

With an expanded platform in a new city, PCHi 2026 is set to offer an enhanced experience, bringing together R&D pioneers, ingredient innovators, and industry leaders to shape the future of personal care. More details about PCHi 2026 will be revealed in the coming months. For more information, please visit www.pchi-china.com/en or connect with PCHi on social media. 