The Muscle Mag
The supplier, specializing in eggshell membrane (ESM) ingredients, was established in 2014 to address the increasing issue of waste produced by food factories. The goal was to give a new purpose to egg industry waste and contribute to a circular economy.
What began as a sustainability research project quickly transformed into a robust nutraceutical product line, as the brand discovered a highly effective ingredient.
“We developed a product with a much lower recommended dosage compared to traditional collagen supplements,” explained Ainara Urtasun, a technical sales specialist at Eggnovo, in an interview with NutraIngredients.
Urtasun noted that while some animal-based collagen brands recommend daily doses as high as 15g, just 300mg of Eggnovo’s eggshell membrane per day can deliver better results in less time.
Despite the rise of ‘vegan collagen,’ Urtasun clarified that collagen by definition is derived from animals. ‘Vegan collagen’ supplements typically contain ingredients like vitamin C, zinc, and copper to stimulate collagen production instead.
‘Veggie collagen’
“A key part of our mission is educating consumers on the comprehensive benefits of our multi-formula approach,” shared Urtasun.
Oihane Nieto Iriberri, the research and development lead at Eggnovo, added, “ESM works synergistically, naturally containing collagen type I, V, and X, along with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, among other glycosaminoglycans, and over 400 different proteins, some rich in sulfur amino acids.”
An evolving market
Collagen is traditionally sourced from animal bones, with supplements commonly derived from pigs, beef, and fish. This can be a barrier for consumers with specific dietary restrictions or preferences.
“We saw an opportunity to provide a sustainable vegetarian source of collagen, catering to the varied preferences of consumers, including vegetarians and those with specific dietary beliefs,” stated Iriberri.
The brand initially focused on joint health with its product Ovomet, designed to address joint pain and inflammation, support cartilage regeneration, and enhance tendon elasticity. As research progressed, additional benefits in skin, hair, and nails emerged, prompting Eggnovo to expand its offerings to include products like Ovoderm for skin health.
To ensure the potency of its products, Eggnovo uses patented technology that separates the membrane from the eggshell using only water, avoiding the use of harmful chemicals that can harm the environment.
The company’s commitment to sustainability also led to the launch of Ovocet, a calcium ingredient made from eggshell exteriors. Eggshells have been shown to contain high levels of calcium, with research indicating increased absorption compared to traditional calcium carbonate supplements.
“The natural calcium source found in eggshells has demonstrated benefits for bone density and may offer higher nutritional value due to the presence of trace elements like strontium, magnesium, phosphorus, and transport proteins,” explained Iriberri.
