Biotropics Malaysia to release vegetable-based antioxidant for supplements

Biotropics Malaysia Berhad has developed a new vegetable-based ingredient with antioxidant activity established using the CAP-e cell-based antioxidant test, the company said.

The new ingredient is intended for dietary ingredients and is the result of three years of work. An official release to South East Asia, the US and Japan is planned for 2012.

The water soluble ingredient is obtained from a leafy Malaysian vegetable that is rich in natural antioxidants, the company said. However, the specific identity of the vegetable source was not disclosed.

The company said: “A few natural antioxidants from fruits are available but there are none from vegetable extracts that we are aware of.”

“For the time being the ingredient is proprietary but we are working towards trade-marking the ingredient and possible patenting for specific indications… at the moment the results have not been published but due considerations are being given to publication in journals,” the company added.

With regulatory approval in Malaysia, the ingredient is yet to receive global approval.