Proof of concept development - beef thyroid capsules

Summary

Hashimoto’s Disease is a form of hypothyroidism (Bernet 2018) and is diagnosed by an elevation of serum TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) caused by the pituitary gland over producing TSH. Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT’s) from animals has been used for centuries to support an underactive thyroid. The global thyroid treatment market was valued at USD 1.97 Billion in 2016 with CAGR of 3.2% due to rising hypothyroidism awareness and diagnosis.

Thyroid glandular supplements predominantly use New Zealand and Argentina beef products and are sold on line in Australia under various brands. 

This project developed a proof of concept beef thyroid capsule for human consumption made from grassfed beef.

Objectives

The main objectives of this project were to:

• provide a brief overview of the gland supplement market and the Hypo-/Hyper-Thyroid(ism) category
• develop proof of concept product beef thyroid capsule, including preliminary process map, product costings, lab assays, specifications and brand development
• sample the product with mock up label listing ingredient declaration and nutritive values and description and intended use is to be completed.

Key findings

• It is commercially viable to make Beef Thyroid Powder and Capsules having validated the new product concept and manufacturing process.
• A minimum viable product is possible, but requires support from a beef processor prepared to supply raw material to ensure reliable supply.
• 10,000 head of cattle will produce 1,000Kg of beef thyroid tissue and yield approximately 250Kg of beef thyroid powder valued at more than US200 per kg.
• The price for section of trachea with beef thyroid attached is AU$7/kg. The price for a 90gram jar of Australian Beef Thyroid Capsules is AU$44.95, which contains 6% thyroid powder and 94% beef liver powder.

Benefits to industry

• The price of thyroid tissue is $7/kg from the abattoir and a jar of grass fed bovine thyroid sells online for approximately $54.95 (160 x 500mg capsules), resulting in a value multiplier of more than 8x the raw material price.
• The development of a suite of additional red meat glandules when combined with thyroid tissue could create additional and viable red meat supply chains for Australian red meat processors.
• Australian meat processors should be mindful of the value co products are providing for human health, in particular glands and organs are being produced in the US, Argentina and New Zealand for the global nutraceutical market. 

MLA action

Ongoing investments into nutraceutical research and development will be supported by MLA to ensure that additional red meat value adding opportunities are being explored.

MLA will communicate the opportunities for red meat nutraceutical development with the broader industry, to ensure that Australian red meat can participate in future domestic and international, nutraceutical segment growth.

Future research

Further research into the red meat glandule market should be conducted, so that industry is able to understand, and validate, the additional value add opportunities, associated with red meat glandule development for the Australian red meat industry.