DolCas Biotech Moves Curcumin Beyond Capsules into Functional Foods

The collaboration with New Zealand-based Mānukora features Curcugen within a "Body Recovery & Gut" honey blend, pairing the extract with MGO 850+ raw honey, ginger, and Sicilian lemon oil. Benjamin Nahar, head of product development at Mānukora, notes that the pairing aligns with Ayurvedic traditions, utilizing honey as a yogavahi—a medium designed to enhance the absorption and delivery of herbal constituents. Unlike standard 95% curcumin extracts, Curcugen retains native turmeric essential oils and offers a 50-fold increase in bioavailability, allowing for potent, flavor-forward formulations.

Simultaneously, the ingredient is anchoring the formula for Numin, a cognitive beverage developed by SLS Performance to combat "decision fatigue." Marketed toward professionals, the orange-flavored powder sachets aim to provide sustained mental clarity for up to six hours. CEO Arun Hozack selected the extract specifically for its clinical grounding and water-dispersibility, which allow the product to perform in a liquid format without the bitterness often associated with turmeric.

K G Rao, founder and CEO of DolCas Biotech, emphasizes that these partnerships represent a broader effort to redefine how consumers interact with nutraceuticals. By prioritizing a full-spectrum profile that is gentle and versatile, the company intends to move curcumin into categories ranging from wellness shots to functional snacks. DolCas Biotech will showcase these delivery systems at the upcoming SupplySide Global 2026 conference in booth #6011.