Fluxome self-affirms GRAS of its resveratrol

31-Mar-2011 - Last updated on 04-Apr-2011 at 10:17 GMT

Related tags Yeast

Danish resveratrol supplier Fluxome has announced that an independent scientific panel of experts supports the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status of its ingredient.

The Danish supplier self-affirmed the GRAS status several years ago for its genetically modified yeast-derived version of resveratrol, and the new independent GRAS affirmation “takes Fluxome one step closer towards fulfilling our ambition to become the leading provider of high quality and natural nutraceutical ingredients and the preferred supplier to companies that value safe, consistent, pure and eco-friendly products,” said Steen Andersen, president and CEO of Fluxome A/S.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant naturally found in grapes and red wine, mulberries, peanuts and 'knotweed' (polygonum cuspidatum). Studies have led to claims that the compound can have positive anti-aging benefits, and may also have potential benefits in diabetes, heart health, obesity and some cancers.

These documented health benefits have generated significant interest in the ingredient from the supplements industry in particular.

The Fluxome ingredient, which the company claims is ‘natural’, is obtained using genetically modified yeast. The company uses a recombinant yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and removes the genes that would normally produce ethanol and carbon dioxide in the fermentation process.

In their place are inserted other genes that are able to produce resveratrol. These genes are typically taken from other microorganisms or from plants.

The controlled fermentation using this modified yeast results in a biomass consisting of yeast and resveratrol. The resveratrol, which is extracted through a separation process, has a minimum 98 percent purity, the company has previously stated.

“The GRAS status confirms the safety and superiority of fermentation-derived products, where all process parameters are tightly controlled," said Bo Stenhuus, PhD, vice president compliance. “With the GRAS status in the United States, Fluxome has taken a major step forward in its process of obtaining sales approvals for Fluxome Resveratrol in other countries and regions."

2 comments

Resveratrol GRAS status

Posted by Marion Haggins Jr, Nutritional Earth CEO, 14 April 2011 - 03:13 GMT

Resveratrol is one of the most under rated ingredients in the supplement categories. It is great to see a company like Fluxome go the distance to have their Resveratrol have GRAS status. As of now I believe only 1 other company has a self-affirmed GRAS for Resveratrol intended use in multiple food and beverage applications. Getting GRAS status from the FDA is where Fluxome is a company that is proactive! Good work guys

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GRAS?

Posted by Bill Sardi, Resveratrol Partners LLC, 04 April 2011 - 10:29 GMT

The purpose of GRAS is to ensure safety for ingredients placed in foods, particularly those foods consumed by pregnant women and growing children. Resveratrol is not appropriate for children or fertile women as it has strong anti-growth properties and may create a shortage of copper as it is a copper chelator. Any food product or beverage that provides more than the typical dietary range (probably 1-to-8 mg per day would likely be problematic. It is irresponsible to make resveratrol a self-affirmed GRAS ingredient.

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