Velobiotics

The idea:

A patented probiotics delivery mechanism able to carry 1 000 times more probiotics to the gut. How it works:

Unlike conventional probiotics, Velobiotics aren’t destroyed by either gastric acid or exposure to the elements, making this the first ready-to- eat probiotic preparation.

The core Velobiotics product is the Probiotics Delivery Mechanism that utilises the inter- polymer matrix to protect good bacterial (probiotics) for shelf-life viability and transit via gastric acid.

Traditional encapsulation methods in fortified foods and drug- delivery applications present some difficulties for ‘actives’ such as probiotics, which are typically sensitive to exposure to moisture, solvents, temperature or oxygen.

Velobiotics technology utilises encapsulation in supercritical carbon dioxide, which avoids exposure to the elements in the encapsulation process. Using the technology, the company could so derive a range of probiotics products with blends suitable for various market segments in probiotic formulations that were previously deemed unfavourable. Velobiotics has licensed the technology from the CSIR for SA, US, UK, Australia and Japan. Who is it for:

Women between 21 and 55 looking for a probiotic supplement; athletes leading a healthy lifestyle and in need of probiotic replenishment via mealand dietary supplements; growing and active children aged 3–12 in need of probiotic gut replenishment in either meal- or dietary supplementation; people who are recovering from hospitalisation or acute illness, or are living with chronic illness.

Velobiotics already has three brands on the market and competes on-shelf against established players.