India strong player in production of certain microingredients

In an increasing global market, the movement of essential commodities such as microingredients has added as a key driver in good health, nutrition, and pharmaceutical sectors.

- DR NIMISHA & SOUMYA SAMANTA

Though microingredients are required in small quantities, play very important role in food fortification, feed formulation, and therapeutic drug manufacturing. The global import and export of these substances not only maintain food supply chains but also control broader economy. With rising consumer awareness regarding health, the demand of transportation for microingredients has crossed its limit.

What are Microingredients?

As the name implies, microingredients are ingredients present in a final product in minute amounts. They include vitamins, trace minerals, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and flavour enhancers. Despite their minimal presence in formulations, they have a significant role on efficacy, safety, nutritional value, and product quality. Microingredients can be divided into two main groups: inorganic and organic. Inorganic components are minerals and trace elements and organic components are vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutraceuticals. Between those two groups we can list more than 100 nutrients, some of them being essential, and others simply important, as they play a crucial role in providing beneficial effects.

International Trades regarding Microingredients

The global microingredient market is vast, interconnected with producers, distributors and consumers, which are continually shaped by increasing demands. The major microingredients supplier countries or regions are China, India, South Asia, the United States. While import countries are Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.