Carotech wins patent on vitamin E complex

US-based Carotech has received a patent for a novel tocotrienol complex, said to increase the bioavailability of tocotrienols in the gastrointestinal tract.

The company, promoting the Tocomin Suprabio ingredient at Health Ingredients Europe next week, says a two-period, two-sequence crossover human bioavailability study has demonstrated that the tocotrienol is 200-300 per cent more bioavailable compared to the conventional tocotrienol oil extract.

This increase in absorption allows formulators to use a lower dosage to achieve the required therapeutic level in the bloodstream.

Tocotrienol is a form of natural vitamin E found in palm oil. There are significant differences between its chemical structure and that of tocopherol, another member of the vitamin E family, which is much more commonly used.

Previous research on Tocomin has determined that tocotrienols cross the blood-brain barrier and are potent protectors of neuron cells that may be killed due to stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Carotech claims to be the biggest supplier of natural full spectrum palm tocotrienol complex in the world. It also produces the natural mixed carotene complex Caromin and non-GM phytosterols from palm fruits (Elaeis guineensis) under the Steromax brand.