Arjuna Set to Triple BCM-95 Production Capacity

05 June 2017 --- Arjuna Natural Extracts has announced the completion of a new, state-of-the-art facility in Coimbatore, India, for the production of its BCM-95 branded turmeric extract. This will triple the curcumin capacity, maximizing efficiency and output, while sharply reducing waste.

The beneficial properties of curcumin have led to high demand from the nutraceutical industry to manufacture dietary and herbal supplements. With a range of new product launches and studies into its efficacy, turmeric stood out at Vitafoods Europe as an ingredient to watch out for in the coming months, NutritionInsight reported. 

Arjuna broke ground on the new turmeric extract plant 10 months ago, and commercial production will begin this month. 

“Buyers of curcumin extracts have become acutely aware of possible contamination in turmeric extract formulations,” says P.J Kunjachan, Chairman & Managing Director for Arjuna. “They prefer marketing trusted brands, such as BCM-95, that follow the strictest possible quality-centric measures and have gold standards in production. The new plant is [fully] automated and ready to meet the growing demand for this well-researched healthful ingredient.”

Turmeric crops usually are ready for harvest after about 6 to 9 months of growth, depending on the variety. At maturity, the leaves turn yellow, fade, and wither. Maximum rhizome yield and dry rhizomes are obtained at this stage. At harvest, the leaves and stems are cut close to the ground to maximize the removal of vegetative material. Because each rhizome is carefully removed by hand, the fields are irrigated before digging to ease and speed the harvesting process. The turmeric rhizomes are subsequently cleaned, and “fingers” of turmeric are separated from mother rhizomes. 

“We work in collaboration with Agricultural University, Trichur, Kerala in India to identify the best sustainable farming procedures and the right turmeric variety,” shares Benny Antony, PhD, Joint Managing Director for Arjuna.

BCM-95 traceability is from farm-to-shelf. Arjuna works with skilled farmers who can harvest the turmeric extract efficiently. The production process ensures the product is completely clean and safe for use, with zero contamination.

Arjuna reports that it has full supervision of BCM-95’s supply chain, from farm to finished supplement, to provide a pure, clean and safe product. DolCas Biotech LLC, Arjuna’s US associate, recently received self-affirmed GRAS status for BCM-95 turmeric extract following a comprehensive review by a panel of qualified experts. The pure, high-potency ingredient is available for use in food and supplements.

In April, a study found that while standard curcumin does possess anti-inflammatory properties, BCM-95 is “significantly more effective than standard curcumin in reducing colitis related disease activity and inflammatory symptoms.”