The latest issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published a study that shows that grape pomace extract – made from grape seeds, stems and skin, basically the leftovers from winemaking – is an effective antimicrobial that helps preserve food. Turkish researchers found that when used at a concentration of five percent, the grape extract acted as a natural preservative in food formulations, protecting against spoilage bacteria.

Taiyo Kaguku Japan acquired Wuxi Green Power Bio-Product Ltd. in Jiangsu Province, China. The acquisition brings two of the global powerhouses in green tea innovation and processing technology together.

“The merger results in the formation of the world’s largest green tea extract manufacturer, with an annual capacity of 2,500 metric tons, and the first, and only, pharmaceutical cGMP FDA-certified facility to produce green tea extracts for the food, supplement and pharmaceutical industries,” said Feng Gu, general manager, Taiyo Green Power.

Unigen Pharmaceuticals Inc. entered into a collaboration agreement with Weider Nutrition International Inc. to develop and commercialize dietary supplement products in the food, drug, mass market and warehouse club channels of distribution.

Soy consumption got another plug with the publication of a recent study in the August issue of the Journal of Nutrition. The study shows that soy consumption helps with kidney health, especially in those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. The purpose of the study was to determine if soy protein consumption compared to animal protein consumption would result in improvements in risk factors associated with kidney failure in people with Type 2 diabetes.

U.S. Flavors & Fragrances Inc. expanded its flavor team with the addition of Dana Van Eden, senior beverage scientist, and Ketan Shah, senior flavor chemist. Van Eden will lead beverage application development, while Shah adds his expertise to custom flavor development.

The Institute of Food Technologists supports the reexamination of U.S. regulatory policy on Listeria monocytogenes in food and has submitted for the record to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration its official comments. IFT supports recommendations to eliminate zero tolerance policy for food that does not support the growth of L. monocytogenes, allowing more efforts and resources to be focused on areas that may have a greater health benefit.

DSM Nutritional Products Inc. provided support for a new study on vitamin E supplementation’s protective effect on upper respiratory tract infections. Supplementation with 200IU of vitamin E per day significantly lowered the risk of acquiring upper respiratory tract infections, particularly the common cold, among the elderly. The study conducted by the Jean Mayer-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University was published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Frutarom Industries Ltd. agreed to purchase International Flavors & Fragrances European fruit preparation business. In 2003, the business was estimated to be worth $90 million. Products produced are primarily used in the baking and dairy industry. The transaction is subject to IFF’s consultation with the employee works councils in Europe.

Fortitech Inc., Schnectady, N.Y., announced the appointment of Kim Evans as the manager of human resources for its global offices in the United States, Europe, South America, Mexico and Asia Pacific.

Decas Botanical Synergies, Wareham, Mass., selected P.L. Thomas & Co. Inc., Morristown, N.J., as exclusive distributor for its line of cranberry-based products.

Astaris LLC, St. Louis, Mo., announced that its Carondelet facility recently received a “Gold Award Certificate” for outstanding achievement in industrial wastewater pretreatment from the Missouri Water Environment Association. The award honors Astaris for its compliance with all discharge and reporting requirements for calendar year 2003.

“This award demonstrates Astaris’ commitment to protecting St. Louis’ environmental resources, and the people utilizing them,” said Jim Kaiman, vice president of operations, Astaris.

Wild blueberries are highest in antioxidant capacity per serving compared with more than 20 other fruits, according to recently published USDA research findings. A 1-cup serving of wild blueberries had more antioxidant capacity than a serving of cranberries, raspberries, prunes and strawberries. Also this is the first USDA study that evaluate the antioxidant capacity of both wild (lowbush) and cultivated (highbush) blueberries. Wild blueberries topped their cultivated cousins by more than 48 percent.

Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, Minn., acquired Alcide Corp., Richmond, Wash.-based producer of biocidal and sanitation products. The acquisition gives Ecolab new proprietary and patented technology, including products aimed at providing food quality and safety enhancements.