Special edition: New trends in heart healthy foods

Natural galectin-3 inhibitors from pectins are the next big thing in heart-healthy foods, says start-up

By Elaine WATSON

- Last updated on GMT

Pectacea is screening natural pectins in everything from rhubarb to onions to find the best galectin-3 inhibitors
Pectacea is screening natural pectins in everything from rhubarb to onions to find the best galectin-3 inhibitors

Related tags Dietary fiber Hypertension

A start-up called Pectacea is making "solid progress" on a pioneering project that could create a completely new category of heart-healthy foods based on the ability of natural pectins to inhibit a protein called galectin-3.

Once they have identified the most promising natural inhibitor of the protein -elevated levels of which are associated with a higher risk of heart failure - they will seek to enter licensing deals with food and beverage firms to take it to market.

Chairman Dr Pieter Muntendam told FoodNavigator-USA: “We have screened a broad range of pectins, ranging from apples and cauliflower to rhubarb, okra and onion, and we are obtaining very interesting and promising results.”

Galectin-3 consistently shows up as a culprit for a range of pathological processes

He added: “We are on a solid path to identify good sources of natural inhibitors and then start the development of functional foods and supplements with a range of manufacturers.

“We have had preliminary discussions about the concept​ [with food manufacturers], which was very well received. We now need to wait until we have validated the research.”

The interest in galectin-3 continues to grow very rapidly

Pectacea - which is owned by Wageningen University and the University of Groningen (which has a top cardiac research center) in the Netherlands - recently set up an office in Massachusetts, and sees the US as its “primary target​”, he said.

 “The interest in galectin-3 continues to grow very rapidly. There were 208 papers in the scientific literature in 2012 and 55 year to date in 2013 putting this on a path to over 300 articles in 2013.   

“Galectin-3 consistently shows up as a culprit for a range of pathological processes, which is promoting interest in pharmaceutical and natural inhibitors.”

Galectin-3 has a built-in ‘on-off’ switch that is modulated by certain natural carbohydrates

orange
Several studies in animals have demonstrated the anti-galectin-3 effects of modified citrus pectin, which is found in the white part between the flesh of the citrus fruit and the peel

An unusual characteristic of galectin-3 is that it has a built-in ‘on-off’ switch that is modulated by specific carbohydrates found in pectins, said Dr Muntendam, ​who developed a blood test for galectin-3 that was cleared by the FDA in 2010.

Ultimately, Pectacea is hoping its work will lead to products that “may reduce the risk of heart failure for individuals with elevated galectin-3 (15-25% of population), may reduce the risk of heart failure hospitalizations and death in patients with chronic heart failure who have elevated levels of galectin-3”, ​he said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the benefits will also be there in those at risk for galectin-3 elevation, such as those with chronic high blood pressure and those who had a heart attack.”

What is galectin-3?

The authors of a high-profile paper​ published last year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology​ concluded that elevated galectin-3 levels are “associated withincreased risk for new-onset heart failure and all-cause mortality​”.

They also noted that “directly targeting the Gal-3 pathway may represent a future preventive treatment strategy​”.

The medical community is therefore very eager to test potential galectin-3 inhibitors, ​said Dr Muntendam, noting that the above study’s authors argue that “Gal-3 levels can be modulated with modified citrus pectin, a soluble dietary fiber found in citrus fruit”.

Meanwhile, drugs given to high galectin-3 patients (eg. spironolactone and eplerenone etc) have “a pretty poor side effect profile and would never be considered for prevention”, ​he observed.

Pectinsare biologically very important compounds  

apples-bananas-istock-Peter Hibberdjpg

Although pectins have been used in food production for years for gelling, thickening and stabilizing, “they were generally considered as biologically inert​, said Muntendam.

“The soluble fiber benefit of pectins was considered to be due to its gastro-intestinal effects. Our work and the work of many others has now demonstrated that these are biologically very important compounds. It is not the complex parent pectin compound, but certain small fractions that are active.

“Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduce the risk for heart-failure by 37% after adjusting for everything. This means there is something active in these and it is not just eating healthier.”

High-throughput Galectin-3 testing is around the corner

But how do you know if you have elevated galectin-3 levels?

The first automated tests have just become available”, ​he said. 

“BioMerieux has just obtained the license to commercialize in Europe and Abbott is also expected to obtain this in the near future. The US lags behind but is also expected in the near future.”

He added: “Heart failure is a very serious medical condition with a 50% five-year mortality. It makes absolute sense to measure galectin-3 in all heart failure patients.”

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Replacement Isn't the Future. Variety Is.

Replacement Isn't the Future. Variety Is.

Content provided by ADM | 22-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Successfully navigating the intersection of food and technology can help your business meet evolving consumer demands.

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Content provided by Ayana Bio | 12-Jan-2024 | White Paper

Ayana Bio conducted the Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Pulse survey, offering insight into consumers’ willingness to consume UPFs, as well as the variables...

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Content provided by Rethink Events Ltd | 11-Jan-2024 | Event Programme

Future Food-Tech is the go-to meeting place for the food-tech industry to collaborate towards a healthier food system for people and planet.

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Content provided by T. Hasegawa USA | 08-Jan-2024 | Application Note

As consumers seek increased value and experience from food and beverages, the industry relies on research to predict category trends. Studying trends that...

Related suppliers

1 comment

Systemic Effects of Pectin?

Posted by IRichard Kozlenko Ph.D.,

The article suggests that Pectacea would have systemic effects on circulating galectin-3 protein.
Where is the origination of the galectin-3 protein? If there is a lower GI origination, then makes a lot of sense with pectin over and above conversion to short chain fatty acids. If there is some digestive conversion, are there systemic circulation markers for the bio-actives from Pentacea?

Report abuse

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars