DSM launches a barrage of innovation in enzymes
Tolerase-L contains lactase, which helps digest lactose, a milk sugar in dairy products. It will be the first of a line of Tolerase-branded products that DSM hopes to launch at the Vitafoods trade show in Geneva, said Cindy Gerhardt, global innovation manager, enzyme solutions, DSM. "We made a new version of lactase which is much more concentrated and pure. There will be more Tolerase products in the future."
The European Food Safety Authority approved the health claim 'lactase enzyme contributes to breaking down lactose' on July 2, 2009.
DSM has sold Tolerase, an earlier version of the product, as a food ingredient derived from Japanese fungus Aspergillus oryzae since 2009, said Gerhardt. "We have improved a lot on its efficacy."
DSM is also exploring the use of other enzymes as ingredients and supplements to help consumers with other allergies and intolerances, she said. Such products could be taken alongside food to aid digestion or built into the food itself, she added. "Our lactase business is split in two. We use lactase as a food processing aid that can be used in products or it can be taken as a pill. It's the same for other digestive enzymes."
