Supply Chain Security and Bioactive Innovation Shine at SupplySide Global 2025

Innovation in bioactive ingredients and supply chain security took the spotlight at this year’s SupplySide Global (SSG), held October 27–30, 2025. Exhibitors introduced a new generation of functional, clean-label, and plant-based bioactives for food and beverage applications. Each showcased ingredient reflected growing consumer demand for products that support energy, gut health, and overall wellness.

A major theme at SSG 2025 was formulating for consumers using GLP-1s and creating GLP-1 companion products. Ingredient suppliers are developing products with higher protein, more fiber, and improved post-GLP-1 digestion and energy.

Supply chain security also emerged as a top focus. From plant cell culture and precision fermentation to upcycling and renewable resource use, the conference revealed how the industry is moving toward sustainable ingredient sourcing without sacrificing innovation.

Below are several standout innovators shaping the future of nutrition and wellness.

Plant Cell Culture and Botanical Innovation

Novella

Ahead of SSG, Novella launched a strawberry-derived ingredient using its AuraCell™ plant cell culture technology. At the event, the company demonstrated how its strawberry cell culture produces a full spectrum of bioactives, including alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids, that work synergistically to support antioxidant activity.

The formulation-ready ingredient delivers a 50% higher ORAC value than typical strawberry extracts while requiring only 1% of the dose. It also avoids solvent extraction entirely and stabilizes supply chain security.

As a natural, non-GMO ingredient, Novella’s innovation highlights how plant cell culture can create clean-label, sustainable, and concentrated bioactive sources for gummies, capsules, and functional beverages.

Ayana Bio

At the Ayana Bio booth, we showcased our 20% rosmarinic acid Sage, developed using the Plant Cell Advantage® (PCA) platform. This innovation offers a natural alternative to synthetic preservatives such as BHA and BHT.

Produced via plant cell culture, our Sage PCA ingredient delivers up to 20 times the concentration of rosmarinic acid found in traditional extracts. This powerful antioxidant supports the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative to replace synthetic additives in food. It also offers supply chain security with a sustainable and consistent supply of rosmarinic acid.

During the “Ultra-Processed, Unapologetic” session, our Head of Innovation, Dr. Weslee Glenn, emphasized that plant cell culture technology enables nutrient-dense, contaminant-free bioactive production. This approach provides a stable supply chain that’s not affected by climate change or weather variability.

AI-Driven Discovery of Bioactives

Brightseed

Brightseed^® continues to lead AI-powered bioactive discovery with its Forager^® AI platform. At SSG, the company showcased two clinically validated ingredients:

• BioMetaControl™, a “GLP-1 Companion,” supports glucose and fat metabolism and reduces bloating.
• Bio Gut Core™, powered by NCT and NFT, strengthens gut barrier integrity and enhances comfort.

These breakthroughs illustrate the convergence of AI, plant science, and precision bioactives, a strategy that mirrors Ayana Bio’s multiomics and AI-driven optimization of plant cell lines for supply chain security and wellness innovation.

Precision Fermentation and Mycoprotein Innovation

Enifer

Founded in 2020, Enifer has gained attention with Pekilo^® mycoprotein, which delivers 50% protein and 30% fiber. Rich in fungal beta-glucan and offering a complete amino acid profile, Pekilo^® is ideal for GLP-1 companion products that target higher protein and fiber intake.

Enifer’s sustainability efforts run deep. The company uses by-product streams as feedstock and derives mycoprotein from fungal mycelium through fermentation. It also utilizes renewable energy and minimizes water use compared with traditional agriculture. With its self-GRAS approval, Enifer is bringing this sustainable protein ingredient to the U.S. market, helping strengthen supply chain security for alternative proteins.

FermLabs

Swiss-Italian startup FermLabs is redefining flavor through precision fermentation. Its clean-label umami and kokumi enhancers are made from food byproducts, helping brands reduce sodium and synthetic additives while maintaining a rich, natural taste.

After sampling their ingredient, it was clear that it delivers a bold, cheese-like umami flavor suitable for meat alternatives, dairy, baked snacks, and beverages—all categories seeking clean-label reformulation and secure ingredient supply.

Geno

Geno showcased how biotechnology is transforming energy support. Its fermentation-derived ingredient, Avela™ (R)-1,3-Butanediol, enables on-demand ketosis by raising BHB levels within 30 minutes. Clinically proven to improve mental clarity, endurance, and energy, Avela™ represents the next generation of sustainable, supply chain–secure functional bioactives.

Gut Health, Microbiome Support, and Postbiotics

Verb Biotics

Verb Biotics presented Keystone Postbiotic^®, created through fermentation of oats with Lactiplantibacillus and Lacticaseibacillus strains. Clinical results after four weeks showed:

• 800% improvement in 33 beneficial gut bacteria
• 24,000% increase in Akkermansia
• 7,000% reduction in harmful bacteria
• 68% improvement in emotional well-being
• Over 50% reduction in gas and bloating

These outcomes highlight how postbiotics can improve mood, microbiome balance, and digestive comfort, while offering a stable supply chain.

Quoriom+™

From Wandler Probiotics Inc., Quoriom+™ offers 10 live cultures from small-batch fermentation. The probiotic line supports gut and immune health in both humans and animals. These innovations show how custom fermentation can advance targeted bioactive benefits while improving supply reliability.

NutriScience

NutriScience’s ButyraGen^® stood out as a next-generation prebiotic. Made from tributyrin and partially hydrolyzed guar fiber, it strengthens gut barrier integrity and supports the gut-brain axis.

Studies show less gas production and lower oxidative stress compared to traditional prebiotics. As a result, it helps consumers feel better while supporting a stable supply chain for gut health innovation.

Beauty-from-Within Bioactives

Lucas Meyer Cosmetics

Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, part of Clariant, featured PhytoflORAL™, a colorless tomato-derived ingredient rich in phytoene and phytofluene. Non-GMO and highly bioavailable, it delivers 500 times more bioaccessible compounds than fresh tomatoes.

PhytoflORAL™ promotes even skin tone and photo-protection from within. It also demonstrates how bioactive ingredients can bridge nutrition and skincare through sustainable, supply chain–secure botanical sourcing.

SupplySide Global 2025 Wrap-Up: The Ayana Bio Perspective

This year’s SSG confirmed that the future of nutrition depends on bioactive innovation that also supports sustainable supply chain security. From plant cell culture to fermentation and AI discovery, companies are rethinking how ingredients are produced, scaled, and sourced.

At Ayana Bio, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. Our Plant Cell Advantage^® platform enables the scalable production of plant-based bioactives for food, beverage, nutraceutical, and wellness applications. With purity, consistency, and sustainability built into every step, plant cell culture delivers true supply chain security for product developers.

As the industry evolves, it’s clear that sustainable ingredient technologies like plant cell culture will play a central role in achieving both planetary and human health goals.