BioActor receives ISO 9001:2015 certification
BioActor receives ISO 9001:2015 certification
Maastricht, Netherlands, May 19th, 2022
Press release
BioActor proudly announces to have been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification! ISO is one of the most rigorous and acclaimed internationally recognised standards, which ensures that BioActor’s products and services meet the needs of customers through an effective quality management system.

ISO 9001:2015
BioActor is dedicated to continuous improvements in its products and services and strives to surpass customer expectations, evidenced by the ISO 9001:2015 accreditation. In order to become ISO 9001:2015 compliant, the BioActor team, based in Maastricht – the Netherlands, underwent a comprehensive company-wide audit including a management system documentation review, pre-audit, initial assessment, and ultimately, clearance of the minor non-conformities.
The BioActor team were audited by Bureau Veritas and obtained their certificate in May 2022.
BioActor’s Quality Manager, Myrto Papageorgiou says:
“I’m proud of our team for how we worked together and proved that our main aspiration is to satisfy our customers by providing them with high-quality products and services. It gives me great pride to receive the ISO 9001:2015 certificate and it highlights our commitment to continually improve for our customers “
Find our certificate here.
About BioActor
BioActor, based at the Maastricht Health Campus, Netherlands, is a life science company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & consumer health industries. The company focuses on the development of plant-based health ingredients for active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & consumer health industries with clinically tested innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com for more information on our products.
Further information can be found on: www.bioactor.com
Can Prebiotics and Probiotics help relieve IBS symptoms?
Can Prebiotics and Probiotics help relieve IBS symptoms?
May 19th, 2022
Prebiotics and probiotics are an interesting topic for people with gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers have conducted various studies regarding their influence on improving IBS symptoms. In this article, we will explain the different types of IBS and how prebiotics and probiotics may be beneficial in managing this chronic long-term condition.

What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the quality of people’s lives and includes symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea [1].
Some studies have estimated that more than 9% of the worldwide population suffers from IBS, with women 1.5 to 3 times more likely to experience IBS symptoms [2].
To date, IBS causes are still unknown and some possible factors that are responsible for IBS, include physiological disturbances, genetics, and digestive motility [3]. Based on the abnormal manifestation of the bowel movements, IBS has four subtypes [4, 5].
- IBS-C: Constipation prevailing
- IBS-D: Diarrhea predominant
- IBS-M: Mixed of Constipation and Diarrhea
- IBS-U: Unspecified when a patient does not belong to one of these categories
Probiotics and IBS
Although the causes of IBS are still unknown, it has been suggested that an imbalance of the gut microbiota can be responsible for IBS development.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host by decreasing the harmful bacteria and supporting the gut’s natural bacteria [6]. If you want to increase the good bacteria in your body, various fermented foods and supplements include probiotics.
As it concerns food, a few suggestions might be yoghurt, tempeh, kombucha and kimchi , while supplements usually include beneficial strains like Saccharomyces Boulardii, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, and Lactobacillus Plantarum.
Research has shown that IBS symptoms can be improved by the daily consumption of Probiotics, even if the exact mechanism is still not completely understood [7]. Probiotics can act in different ways depending on the type of IBS and other factors such as age and gender [8].
It is proposed that Probiotics may improve IBS symptoms by [9]:
• Inhibiting the colonisation of pathogens in the gut
• Enhancing the gut barrier function
• Boosting the immune system
• Improving digestive functions
• Reducing inflammation in the gut and gas formation
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are usually non-digestible fibre compounds that are fermented by the gut microbiota, stimulating the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the gut [10]. To classify these compounds as prebiotics, they need to comply with three requirements [11]:
• be non-digestible and resistant to breakdown by stomach acid and enzymes in the human gastrointestinal tract
• be fermented by living microorganisms in the gut
• stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria (probiotics)
It is possible to combine prebiotics with probiotics to create synbiotic dietary supplements. You can read more about that here.
Prebiotics and IBS
Research into the role of prebiotics in managing IBS symptoms is conflicting and shows that the beneficial effect may be subjective and depend on the IBS and type.
For example, some studies found that soluble fibres such as psyllium and inulin may provide significant pain relief for IBS patients with constipation and/or diarrhoea. In contrast, other studies found that the effect is limited.
Prebiotics act by stimulating the growth of a bacterium that produces lactic acid called Bifidobacterium. Interestingly, Bifidobacterium has been associated with improved gastrointestinal symptoms in people with IBS. More specifically, this genus lowers the pH to desirable levels for beneficial microbes and undesirable levels for pathogenic bacteria
[12].
The consumption of specific prebiotics such as arabinoxylans from wheat (AX) can increase the amount of Bifidobacterium in the colon.
In addition, there are also molecules with known prebiotic activity, such as citrus-derived flavonoids. Research has shown that these compounds can reach the colon without being digested and are metabolised by the gut microbiota, stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria..
These prebiotic flavonoids are different from prebiotic fibres because they are not fermented but rather deglycosylated by the gut microbiota. Furthermore, their ability to work at low doses is associated with their high tolerance as opposed to fibres. Finally, the lack of fermentation avoids gas formation and the resulting feeling of bloating and flatulence.
Multiple studies have shown better protection of gut mucosa against colonisation by pathogens and viruses. Also, citrus flavonoids allow greater production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) like butyrate and propionate, important compounds for the immune system and metabolic functions.
The bottom line
IBS is a chronic condition that affects a large part of the world’s population.
There is no known cure for this condition, but there are many treatment options to reduce or eliminate symptoms, such as dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and prescription medications.
In many cases, probiotics and prebiotics may be beneficial in managing the IBS symptoms. However, the beneficial effect is subjective and depends on the IBS type. Therefore, it is essential to understand how dietary changes and supplementations affect the symptoms.
Started new clinical trial with Actiful®
Started new clinical trial with Actiful®
Maastricht, Netherlands, May 4th, 2022
Press release
BioActor has officially started a new clinical trial with Actiful® in healthy middle-aged adults. Actiful® is BioActor’s innovative citrus and pomegranate complex ingredient designed to enhance vitality and support an active lifestyle.

The new randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
BioActor announced today that it has officially started the new intervention study on Actiful®.
Actiful® is an orange and pomegranate complex with demonstrated health benefits such as improving blood flow, increasing energy levels, improving mitochondrial efficiency and boosting mental well-being.
This is the second clinical study that will be conducted with Actiful® and it will be performed in collaboration with Maastricht University at the research facilities in Maastricht and Venlo.
Duting this new double-blind placebo-controlled study, 52 healthy middle-aged (40-65 years) will take the supplements (or the placebo) for a duration of 12 weeks. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of Actiful® on physical fitness, vitality and quality of life.
The primary outcome (VO2max) will be estimated by use of the Ekblom-Bak submaximal test, a novel test performed on a cycle ergometer.
Additionally, a sub-group of participants will undergo a skeletal muscle biopsy to explore the effect of Actiful® on mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle repair.
As we age, we tend to have less energy and lose vitality. Functional foods and dietary supplements containing polyphenols are seen as an excellent strategy for long term sustained energy production. BioActor is addressing this need by developing a unique product- Actiful®. This product consists of all-natural ingredients from oranges and pomegranates.
“I’m really excited to be part of this project as the combined effect of hesperidin and punicalagin on enhanced performance has never been studied before”, says Maria Imperatrice, the study executive researcher in Maastricht. “We are very curious to explore their effect on human exercise and deepen the knowledge of the effect of polyphenols on mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle regeneration.”
About BioActor
BioActor, based at the Maastricht Health Campus, Netherlands, is a life science company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & consumer health industries. The company focuses on the development of plant-based health ingredients for active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & consumer health industries with clinically tested innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities Actiful® has to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.actiful.eu and www.bioactor.com