Verdure Sciences enhances serotonin profile of bacognize

The Noblesville, Indiana-based company has announced that after extensive analytical testing, it has characterized the ingredient - derived from the herb bacopa monnieri - to its 100 percent natural serotonin-active profile of unique glycosides.

The ingredient is used for the support of cognitive health, particularly with regards to mood and stress applications.

The refining of the ingredient is designed so as to help formulators by providing them with the information on exactly how much active compound is present in the ingredient for their applications.

"Parallel with our mission to provide efficacy and consistency across the board, we thought it was necessary to improve upon the non-specific ultraviolet spectrometry method for 'Total Bacosides', a method which may or may not detect the active glycosides," said Blake Ebersole, technical director of Verdure Sciences.

"By HPLC-standardizing to the serotonin-active bacopa phytochemicals, we are now able to provide exact levels of the exact compounds researched for the plant's cognition-enhancing activity."

Bacopa monnieri has traditionally been used in Indian and Asian cultures for uses such as a nerve tonic, and plays a role in Ayurvedic medicine.

It has antioxidant properties and published human and in vivo research has linked the ingredient to the support of cognitive health.

The company highlights a prior clinical study on medical students indicating bacognize could have benefits for memory and focus.

In addition it brings to attention new clinical evidence in a recent placebo-controlled trial on bacognize that pointed to potential benefits for mood, memory, and focus in healthy older subjects.

Verdure says it manufacturers bacognize at its ISO-9000:2001, HACCP, botanicals-only facility.

The ingredient is Kosher- and Halal-certified, as well as GMO-free.