India is a USD 9 billion nutraceutical market and is slated to be a USD 50 billion by 2025. The future of Nutraceuticals is multi-disciplinary science convergence. With the advancement in technologies, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries have leveraged a good deal of investment. Some of the notable technological advances have been listed below-

Information technology

Artificial Intelligence

Nutraceutical businesses can leverage AI to quickly pick ingredients by matching millions of data points related to nutritional studies. It can also help recommend the most personalized nutrient formulations depending on the dietary and health data offered by the consumer. AI can empower businesses to forecast demand for nutritional goods as well as elements in the supply chain.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Successful implementation of RPA can increase efficiency, improve performance, reduce cost, market products faster. RPA can generate insights about commercial patterns, customers, and industry trends, thereby providing the opportunity to carry out important services providing better results.

Edge computing and Internet of Things

With the deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) across the manufacturing spectrum, every touch point of the production line are built with sensors for recording an abundance of data. Everything from smart watches to heart rate monitors all sit at the edge of the network and provides real-time data, all thanks to edge computing.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computing could potentially increase quality and completeness and reduce the time of clinical trials, the number of sites and “real” patients. Positive and negative effects of latest therapeutic approach can be predicted with this technology of quantum computing.

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

VR and AR make life easy during manufacturing and processing with providing step-by-step instructions, reducing the learning curve. Introduction of AR holograms and 3D objects to the product experience and by bringing AR dietitians directly into shoppers’ homes, the product information will be more digestible and accessible.

Biotechnology Trends

Gene Editing

Gene editing techniques are being used to develop therapies used in the treatment of chronic diseases and disorders, which are affecting a large population base worldwide.

Microfluidics

Microfluidic technology is an emerging approach that can be used for nutraceutical delivery with precise control.

Big Data Technology

Analysts in the industry must today work on ‘Big Data’ to distil data for quality that is reliable, validated, and integrated with a clear mandate of data governance so that we know what is happening and where the trend is moving.

Synthetic Biology

Plant synthetic biology has the potential to improve human health by generating plants that produce pharmaceuticals, nutrients, and nutraceuticals and the technological challenges hinder our ability to generate plants producing health-promoting small molecules.

3-D Printing Trends

3-D printing techniques in the nutraceutical industry have given rise to newer business ventures who utilise the technology to make better nutraceutical drug delivery. It enables customisable ingredients to be utilised in order to create custom-designed products with food ingredients. Personalization of 3D Food Printing can meet nutritional recommendations associated with a restricted diet, possibly reducing complications and hospitalization.  

Some sugar substitutes, such as maltitol and xylitol, are commonly consumed by diabetics. Therefore, a chocolate-based 3D-printed food product containing a complex mixture of these synthetic sweeteners and functional polysaccharides was produced. This latest technology also has a unique role to play in delivering personalized nutritional supplements where they print your personalized supplements that promise to release essential nutrients on time to suit your needs and daily routine.

Conclusion

The pandemic has been a driving force behind India’s explosive expansion in the nutraceutical industry and with the application of technology in every operation can catalyse its growth in no time. The COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the necessity of bolstering immunity with natural herbs and plants. The nutraceutical market in India has risen by leaps and bounds since 2020, whether it’s Ashwagandha or herbal kaadha for boosting immunity. Due to the pandemic, the middle class has been compelled to switch from pharmaceutical to nutraceutical and dietary supplements.

With the latest initiatives taken by the government to boost the manufacturing sector of India, it couldn’t have been a better time for nutraceutical technologies to bloom in India. With increasing demand and resources India is ready to become the largest exporter of nutraceutical products all across the globe.

The author of the article is Amit Srivastava, Chief Catalyst, Nutrify Today