Kemin adds patent to Neumentix spearmint extract IP portfolio

The patent (# 9,839,661​, issued Dec 12, 2017) covers the unique drying process used to retain health-benefitting polyphenols from the harvested spearmint.

Kemin’s Neumentix is a polyphenol-rich derivative of clonal lines of spearmint. Naturally occurring polyphenols in KI110 and KI42 spearmint lines include rosmarinic, salvianolic and caftaric acids The ingredient is positioned for cognitive health and its efficacy is supported by data published in peer-review journals.​

Spearmint is a seasonal herb that retains high levels of moisture. To preserve perishable polyphenols in spearmint, post-harvest drying is required. However, aromatic herbs are especially sensitive to post-harvest processing, resulting in discoloration and decreased nutritional value. Kemin’s patented drying process successfully minimizes moisture while preserving the nutritional value of the spearmint.

“Removing most of the water from the plant material without destroying the rosmarinic acid allows us to extract dried material when there’s demand, so that customers receive product at the height of its nutritional value,” ​said Dr John Greaves, VP of Specialty Crops at Kemin Industries.

Once dried, polyphenols from Kemin’s KI110 and KI42 spearmint lines are water extracted to produce Neumentix, which can be formulated into a variety of supplement or food applications, said the company in a release.