Conagen expands Blue California’s heart and immune health portfolio with hydroxytyrosol antioxidant

13 Sep 2021 --- US-based biotech company Conagen is scaling up the natural antioxidant ingredient hydroxytyrosol, thereby expanding its commercial partner Blue California’s health ingredient portfolio.

Conagen’s high-purity hydroxytyrosol is virtually colorless and odorless, proving useful as cost-effective food additives or cosmetic ingredients where oxidation must be mitigated. 

The hydroxytyrosol is produced by using an environmentally sustainable and natural fermentation process that has led to the filing of several patent applications, making it a suitable option compared to its olive juice concentrate and synthetic counterparts.

Notably, hydroxytyrosol is derived from one of Conagen’s four small-molecule platforms. “The flexibility of our phenolics platform has enabled us to rapidly scale and commercialize hydroxytyrosol and other novel ingredients,” comments vice president of Conagen’s innovation, Dr. Casey Lippmeier.

Expansion trajectory
Blue California and Conagen are long-standing commercial partners. In July, the duo embarked on the path to commercialize fermentation-derived nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).

This followed Conagen’s development of Blue California’s scalable dihydroquercetin (DHQ), using its proprietary bioconversion process. 

The two also previously worked on bitter blocker technology and on the preservation solution rosmarinic acid.

Hydroxytyrosol is a phenylethanoid found in olives and wine, two staples of the Mediterranean diet.Health benefits galore
Hydroxytyrosol has received increasing attention in the dietary supplement world due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties. “It is also one of the most potent antioxidants in olives,” notes Dr. Linda May-Zhang, Blue California’s research, science and innovation officer. 

“Research suggests the great promise of this molecule in healthy aging and potential immune support applications,” she adds.

In addition to immune health, emerging research suggests hydroxytyrosol supports heart health, metabolic health, bone health, brain health and beauty.

Into the heart of the Mediterranean  
Hydroxytyrosol is a phenylethanoid found in olives and wine, two staple ingredients of the Mediterranean diet. 

The Mediterranean diet has previously demonstrated that it promotes longevity, protects from chronic diseases and reduces deaths from heart disease 30 percent more compared to a low-fat diet.

Moreover, most hydroxytyrosol is naturally found in the juice of olives, with only small amounts in the oil. Current hydroxytyrosol ingredients on the market are synthetic or produced mainly through processed olive juice.

Other companies have also tapped into phenolic ingredients. Wacker is addressing the global demand for heart health solutions with its HTEssence hydroxytyrosol, while IFF Health turns to its Benolea ingredient for heart-protective potential. 

Edited by Anni Schleicher