Riddet Institute nets funding to test health extracts

Two studies, one investigating fish oil absorption and the other on pine bark extract’s effect on glucose metabolism, are being led by Riddet Institute Research Officer Dr Janice Lim. Dr Lim is an expert in applied nutrition and food bioactives that stop the progression of disease.

The new partnerships demonstrate the Riddet Institute’s growing reputation as a trusted research partner for the food and nutraceutical sectors.

The latest project is a more than $200,000 collaboration with Pharma New Zealand (PNZ) Limited, aiming to address a key challenge in the fish oil supplement market, where many products are limited by lower purity, less-effective chemical forms and delivery formats that can reduce nutrient absorption.

Omega-3 fatty acids support heart health, reduce inflammation and aid brain and eye functions, among other uses in the body.

Running across 2026 and 2027, the fish oil study will investigate whether PNZ's novel self-emulsifying delivery system NovaVita® can improve the absorption and bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids in humans.

This month, Dr Lim joined the PNZ team at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, one of the world's largest trade exhibitions.

The visit helped to strengthen ties between the two organisations and enabled Dr Lim to get to know the team and company culture better.

“PNZ has expressed that they have a long-term vision of working with the Riddet Institute, as they trust the robustness and rigour of the scientific research carried out here,” says Dr Lim.

Subsequent clinical trials with PNZ are already being planned at the Riddet Institute, signalling what both organisations expect to be a long-term research relationship.

Dr Lim says they have been inundated with volunteers wanting to participate in the trial after advertising in September.

She is also focused on maintaining and expanding a longstanding relationship with pine bark extract producer ENZO Nutraceuticals Limited.

In 2025, Dr Lim completed a study investigating the effects of the pine bark extract Enzogenol® on glucose metabolism.

The extract showed promise in reducing glucose absorption in healthy humans in the study.

Discussions are now underway to commence longer-term human studies examining glucose control and other health outcomes, likely in 2027.

The Riddet Institute is a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) hosted by Massey University in Palmerston North, focusing on advanced food research.