Novella, Ltd. revealed prototypes of its groundbreaking line of bioactives derived from berries. The company is at an advanced stage in developing intact-cell berry compounds cultivated outside the plant using state-of-the-art precision-controlled-environment technology. This innovative platform promises to alleviate supply constraints for high-demand berry ingredients in the global supplement industry.
Introducing the New Pilot Plant
Novella has inaugurated a cutting-edge facility housing both its operational headquarters and a state-of-the-art pilot plant. This facility is dedicated to accelerating the cultivation of whole-berry fruit cells from five distinct varieties, each tailored to meet specific demands in the supplement market. The precision-controlled environment ensures the preservation of the phytonutrients' integrity within the intact cells. Leading this initiative is Novella's newly appointed Chief Technology Officer, Prof. Moshe Flaishman, Ph.D.
Enhanced Health Benefits of Berries
While the general category of berries has long been associated with antioxidant capacity and overall wellness attributes, recent research has unveiled specific health condition categories that can benefit from particular phytochemicals. Novella is set to introduce a new supply channel for these high-value nutraceuticals, currently in high demand.
Eliminating Berry Waste
"Itay Dana, Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer of Novella, explains, "Berries cultivated exclusively for supplements typically require around 2,000 acres to yield just one ton of polyphenolic compounds. We've condensed this expansive agricultural tract into a 10,000-liter bioreactor that produces an equivalent quantity of pure, high-value ingredients." This breakthrough not only conserves valuable land for food crop cultivation but also brings forth a range of economic and environmental benefits, starting with the complete elimination of waste. Novella's method demands minimal land, energy, and water usage and leaves a minimal carbon footprint. This enables us to manufacture top-notch ingredients at competitive prices, independent of climate variations, logistical hurdles, or social and political constraints."
Novella's Proprietary Cultivation Platform
Novella's unique cultivation platform adopts a whole-cell approach to provide highly sought-after nutraceutical ingredients, bypassing extraction processes. The company meticulously screens the plant's tissues to identify the areas with the highest compound concentrations. The chosen cells (callus) are nurtured in a sealed, controlled system that encourages natural propagation. Growth is sustained at a cellular level, eliminating the need for the entire plant.
These cells are then transformed, without the use of solvents, into a nutritious, highly bioaccessible, and potent powder readily absorbed by the gastrointestinal system. "We conduct a one-time selection process, obtaining tissue from the skin and flesh of the berries during their most potent stage," adds Flaishman.
Novella's Progress in Cell-Grown Compounds
While Novella nurtures cells from various botanicals, the company has made significant strides in producing cell-grown, berry-derived compounds. By maintaining cultivation at the cellular level, the start-up ensures the preservation of the berry's natural complex of phytonutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, such as the highly valued anthocyanins. Additionally, the cell wall serves as a natural encapsulation, safeguarding the actives from oxidation and guaranteeing maximum absorption in the body.