The company says its branded maritime pine bark TOYO-FVG retains the innate antioxidant properties of the antioxidant compounds of the bark. Toyo Shinyaku will be entering the US market as Toyo Bio-Pharma, with TOYA-FVG as its flagship ingredient. "It's perfect for functional foods and beverages as well as nutritional supplements and cosmeceutical products," said Mario Kahn, chief marketing officer of the California-based Toyo Bio-Pharma. "Our hot water-extraction process makes this a great addition for those seeking an all-natural and extremely powerful antioxidant." A pioneer in the category has been Pycnogenol, made exclusively by Horphag Research in France. The product is extracted from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows on the southern coast of France, and is currently used in over 400 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products. The main markets for Pycnogenol are the US and Japan. The ingredient has been linked to beneficial effects on a wide range of medical conditions from diabetes to asthma. It has also been proposed to boost male fertility and improve the memory of mice. Toyo Bio-Pharma claims its product is also extracted and harvested from the French maritime pine. Among other purposes, the company will be building the ingredient in the US for the support of cardiovascular health, athletic recovery benefits and the personal care industry.
