The company says its proprietary Garlieze contains the heart healthy compound allicin found in garlic, without some of the side effects associated with raw garlic.
If further studies prove Garlieze is as bioavailable as raw garlic, Nutra Products could be of use for those who have problems digesting garlic but want the benefits of allicin.
"It has the same allicin content as fresh macerated 'gold standard' garlic," Nutra Products president Gretchen Reece told NutraIngredients-USA.
Allicin is a short-lived bioactive in garlic that has been linked to cardiovascular benefits and helps prevent blood platelet aggregation.
The study presented involved a very small study population of two people. The effect of their consumption of Garlieze was compared with their consumption of homogenized fresh garlic.
"Further investigations examining the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Garlieze are warranted," reads the poster presentation.
And a key benefit for formulators, said Reece, is that Garlieze can be used in supplements without the need for expensive enteric coating.
Nutra Products says its garlic is specially selected for high allicin in China and then processed in an alkalizing compound to remove the odor.
Garlieze has properties that allow it to buffer stomach acids, in turn allowing allicin to form, Nutra Products president Gretchen Reece told NutraIngredients-USA. This, explained Reece, is how Nutra Products has gotten around the issue of 'garlic burp'.
The company is currently conducting clinical trials to explore the potential for Garlieze to be used in a one-a-day manner similar to asprin, said Reece.
Nutra Products is a northern California-based company and Garlieze is its first intellectual property ready for commercialization.