Sardine-Based Ingredients
“When developing something, you need to rely on common beliefs that are not random, but have a real foundation,” notes president Alexis Mehaignerie. Starting from these research and development hypotheses, Abyss Ingredients forms partnerships to ensure that these ingredients from the “best of the sea” are supported by scientific evidence before being put on the market. These natural “actives” currently number five. Each has a name, not necessarily listed on the final packaging.
“There is one for memory, one for joints, one for skin beauty, one for skin health, and one for stress relief,” lists Alexis Mehaignerie. Clinical studies on joints have been conducted in Belgium, those on skin in Brazil, and those on sleep in Germany. The nutrients used come for example from sardines, in which there are “proteins, lipids, and many interesting small molecules that we will extract,” says Elodie Bouvret, the scientific and innovation manager of Abyss Ingredients.
“Developing innovative marine actives aimed at preserving cognitive health throughout life.”
In France, the Breton company has been working for ten years with NutriNeuro, a unit that includes Corinne Joffre, a collaboration between Inrae, the University of Bordeaux, and Bordeaux INP. Financed by the National Research Agency (ANR) with 363,000 euros, the SeaMind laboratory “aims to develop innovative marine actives aimed at preserving cognitive health throughout life,” announced Jeremie Baufreton, director of Bordeaux Neurocampus, the research department to which NutriNeuro belongs. This partnership runs until 2029.
SeaMind laboratory was officially launched on March 24 with the signing of a convention among the various partners.
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Cognitive Trajectory
Corinne Joffre summarizes the scientific approach: “Certain physiological processes occurring during critical periods can lead to an increased risk of cognitive decline and early cognitive decline during aging.” This is what she calls the “cognitive trajectory.” Three “at-risk populations” were targeted in these well-being brain research studies, “students during exam periods,” of which 53% are stressed, “women at various life stages, including postpartum or menopause,” as well as “people suffering from overweight or obesity.” Chronic stress, she explains, “is associated with dysregulations of neuroendocrine immune systems that will affect emotional states, leading to depressive states and reducing cognitive performance including learning and memory.”
“This scientific validation is really a benchmark for our customers.”
This “nutritional supplementation from marine bio-sourced actives” will be observed to evaluate its positive effects on “memory and mood disorders.” Preclinical studies will be conducted on mice to assess the benefits of their food, pellets incorporating these nutrients. “We can measure the cognitive performance of these animals.” Clinical studies, on humans, will also be scheduled, administering capsules rich in marine products.
