NIUMAG in the Spotlight | Unlocking New Dimensions in Functional Food Development and In Vivo Metabolic Evaluation — Niumag Analytical Shines at the 3rd Forum on Functional Foods and Health with Homology of Medicine and Food

On July 17, the highly anticipated “3rd Functional Food and Health Forum on Food-Medicine Homology” was successfully held. As a leading provider of low-field NMR technology solutions in China, Suzhou Niumag Analytical Instrument Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as “Niumag Analytical”) showcased its innovative applications in functional food research and in vivo drug metabolism assessment. The company brought strong technical support to the exploration of the complex relationship between food-medicine substances and human health—adding a vibrant touch of scientific innovation to the forum.

Empowering Food-Medicine Homology with Frontier Technology

The concept of food-medicine homology dates back centuries. Today, the booming functional food industry relies on scientific precision in understanding bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action within the human body. This forum gathered researchers from academic institutions and industry leaders to exchange insights on product development, standardization, and health efficacy evaluation.

Recognizing the needs of the industry, Niumag Analytical highlighted the unique advantages of Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) in functional food research:

In-depth Quality Analysis of Functional Food Ingredients and Products:

Water Status and Distribution: LF-NMR allows for non-destructive, rapid, and precise analysis of water in various states (free water, bound water, and immobile water). These parameters directly influence key factors such as texture, stability, taste, and shelf life. The technology is especially valuable in gel-based, paste-like, or specialized diet formulations, offering critical data for optimizing formulation and processing.

Lipid Characterization: Accurately measures solid fat content (SFC), crystallization behavior, and oil-holding capacity. Ideal for quality control and product development in high-fat functional foods such as specialized lipid-based formulations.

Microstructure and Texture Evaluation: Using relaxation time and imaging data, LF-NMR can reflect internal pore structures, uniformity, and network cross-linking. This provides scientific insight into how physical textures—like chewiness, elasticity, and viscosity—are formed at the molecular level.

A Powerful Tool for In Vivo Metabolism Studies of Functional Foods and Drugs:

One of LF-NMR’s greatest strengths is its ability to perform non-invasive and in vivo measurements—offering a powerful platform for dynamic, real-time biological analysis. Core application areas include:

Metabolic Tracking: Precisely tracks the distribution, migration pathways, and pharmacokinetics of functional compounds, drug molecules, or delivery systems (such as liposomes and nanoparticles) within living organisms.

Mechanism of Action Studies: By monitoring parameters such as tissue water status, fat content/distribution, and molecular mobility, LF-NMR helps uncover how active ingredients or drugs exert their biological effects.

Disease Model Monitoring and Intervention Evaluation: Dynamically assesses how functional foods or therapeutics influence physiological and pathological states in disease models. This includes tracking lipid content in fatty liver, or vascularization and necrosis in tumor models. The technique enables non-invasive, quantitative evaluation of therapeutic efficacy or preventive potential—providing a scientific foundation for the development of food-medicine-based health solutions.

At the forum, Niumag Analytical’s technical team engaged in in-depth exchanges with participants. Researchers expressed strong interest in the unique value of LF-NMR for non-invasive in vivo metabolic evaluation, recognizing its potential as a powerful and innovative approach for uncovering mechanisms of food-medicine homology and scientifically validating their health benefits.

Technology-Led Innovation for a Healthier Future

Suzhou Niumag Analytical remains committed to applying advanced low-field NMR technology across life sciences, materials science, and food science. Its participation in the “3rd Functional Food and Health Forum” exemplifies the company’s deep dedication to functional food innovation and its drive to accelerate technological advancement within the health sector.

Looking ahead, Niumag Analytical will continue working hand in hand with research institutions and industry partners. Anchored by innovation, the company will keep unlocking the potential of food-medicine homology to develop safer, more effective, and mechanism-driven functional products—contributing powerful “nuclear magnetic” momentum to global health and wellness.