17
cofactors or inhibitors of enzymatic reactions, absorbents that bind to and eradicate
unwanted constituent in the intestine and improve the absorption and/or stability of
indispensable nutrients among others (Zhao 2007).
Nutraceutical Enzymes These are enzymes that are derived from plant, animal
and microbial sources. Enzymes are an essential part of life, without which our bodies would cease to function optimally. Medical conditions such as blood sugar disorders, digestive problems and obesity have their symptoms eliminated by enzyme
supplements in the diet.
Probiotic Microorganisms Probiotics mean ‘for life’. They are defined as
live microorganisms, which when consumed in tolerable amounts, confer a
health effect on the host (Michail et al. 2006). These microorganisms are
responsive bacteria that promote healthy digestion and absorption of some
nutrients. They most importantly act to mob out pathogens, like yeasts and
other bacteria and viruses that may cause disease and develop a communally
advantageous symbiosis with the human gastrointestinal tract (Holzapfel et al.
2001). They possess an antimicrobial effect through altering the microflora,
averting adhesion of pathogens to the intestinal epithelium, competing for
nutrients necessary for pathogen survival, producing an antitoxin effect and
retrogressing some of the consequences of infection on the intestinal epithelium, such as secretory changes and neutrophil migration. For instance, probiotics can cure lactose intolerance by enhancing the production of a specific
enzyme (ß-galactosidase) that can hydrolyze the offending lactose into its component sugars (Oak and Jha 2019).
2.2.3.2 Non-Traditional Nutraceuticals
These are the artificial foods developed via biotechnology. The bioactive components in food samples are engineered to produce products for human-wellness. They
can be grouped into fortified nutraceuticals and recombinant nutraceuticals.
Fortified Nutraceuticals These are nutraceuticals from agrarian breeding or added
nutrients and/or ingredients. Examples include cereals with added vitamins or minerals, milk fortified with cholecalciferol used in vitamin D deficiency, flour with
added folic acid, prebiotic and probiotic fortified milk with Bifidobacteriumlactis
HN019 used in diarrhea, respiratory infections and severe illnesses, in children
(Sazawal et al. 2010), and orange juice fortified with calcium.
Recombinant Nutraceuticals Recombinant nutraceuticals include the making of
probiotics and the extraction of bioactive components by enzyme/fermentation
technologies as well as genetic engineering technology. Also, energy-providing
foods, such as bread, alcohol, fermented starch, yoghurt, cheese, vinegar, and others
are produced using modern biotechnology. Examples include cows with lactoferrin
2 Nutraceuticals: History, Classification and Market Demand
cofactors or inhibitors of enzymatic reactions, absorbents that bind to and eradicate
unwanted constituent in the intestine and improve the absorption and/or stability of
indispensable nutrients among others (Zhao 2007).
Nutraceutical Enzymes These are enzymes that are derived from plant, animal
and microbial sources. Enzymes are an essential part of life, without which our bodies would cease to function optimally. Medical conditions such as blood sugar disorders, digestive problems and obesity have their symptoms eliminated by enzyme
supplements in the diet.
Probiotic Microorganisms Probiotics mean ‘for life’. They are defined as
live microorganisms, which when consumed in tolerable amounts, confer a
health effect on the host (Michail et al. 2006). These microorganisms are
responsive bacteria that promote healthy digestion and absorption of some
nutrients. They most importantly act to mob out pathogens, like yeasts and
other bacteria and viruses that may cause disease and develop a communally
advantageous symbiosis with the human gastrointestinal tract (Holzapfel et al.
2001). They possess an antimicrobial effect through altering the microflora,
averting adhesion of pathogens to the intestinal epithelium, competing for
nutrients necessary for pathogen survival, producing an antitoxin effect and
retrogressing some of the consequences of infection on the intestinal epithelium, such as secretory changes and neutrophil migration. For instance, probiotics can cure lactose intolerance by enhancing the production of a specific
enzyme (ß-galactosidase) that can hydrolyze the offending lactose into its component sugars (Oak and Jha 2019).
2.2.3.2 Non-Traditional Nutraceuticals
These are the artificial foods developed via biotechnology. The bioactive components in food samples are engineered to produce products for human-wellness. They
can be grouped into fortified nutraceuticals and recombinant nutraceuticals.
Fortified Nutraceuticals These are nutraceuticals from agrarian breeding or added
nutrients and/or ingredients. Examples include cereals with added vitamins or minerals, milk fortified with cholecalciferol used in vitamin D deficiency, flour with
added folic acid, prebiotic and probiotic fortified milk with Bifidobacteriumlactis
HN019 used in diarrhea, respiratory infections and severe illnesses, in children
(Sazawal et al. 2010), and orange juice fortified with calcium.
Recombinant Nutraceuticals Recombinant nutraceuticals include the making of
probiotics and the extraction of bioactive components by enzyme/fermentation
technologies as well as genetic engineering technology. Also, energy-providing
foods, such as bread, alcohol, fermented starch, yoghurt, cheese, vinegar, and others
are produced using modern biotechnology. Examples include cows with lactoferrin
2 Nutraceuticals: History, Classification and Market Demand