Bioactives

This is some basic information about Bioactives from CSIRO. Just for my own information.

1. Bioactives are molecules that possess a biological activity in addition to their nutritional value.
2. Flagship researchers are developing technology to separate bioactives.
3. The researchers are identifying sources of bioactives and what different bioactives do.
4. Extracting bioactives could lead to new food additives to improve the nutritional and health-giving properties of foods.

ABOUT BIOACTIVES
Bioactive molecules are components of food that possess biological activity in addition to their nutritional value. For example, omega-3 oils are fats which not only provide energy but are also believed to benefit human brain development and inflammatory response.

Bioactive molecules can play roles in: growth and development, reducing the risks of disease, healing injuries.

Bioactive molecules occur naturally in plant and animal products, normally at very low concentrations. Processing food, for example by cooking, packaging and storage, often reduces the level of bioactive molecules.

Many waste products from the food industry contain bioactives. For example, whey is a waste product of the cheese industry. It contains valuable bioactive proteins such as lactoferrin, which is reported to have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.